Final answer:
English has become a universal medium of instruction due to its global presence in various domains, yet multilingualism and cultural understanding offer significant advantages. Bilingual education has been shown to benefit academic progress. Educational practices are now increasingly acknowledging the value of cultural diversity and authentic language use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rise of English as a medium of instruction at a universal level is due to its status as an international language in commerce, travel, entertainment, and politics. The convenience of a common language for global communication can be seen as advantageous; however, it also presents a potential disadvantage for native English speakers who don't learn additional languages. This can impact everyday communication and business negotiations, where understanding the nuances of another culture and language is essential.
Findings suggest that instruction in both a native language and English leads to better academic progress than English-only education. Additionally, approaches to language instruction are evolving, recognizing the value of authentic voices and cultural diversity in education, as evidenced by the concept of 'Students' Right to Their Own Language'.
For educators and students alike, it's essential to consider the role of English as an instructional language, while also recognizing the immense benefits of multilingualism and cultural competency in our interconnected world. As we debate this topic, the importance of balancing the practicality of a common linguistic medium with the rich advantages of language diversity becomes clear.