1. This is complete nonsense. Nonsense. Rubbish. Garbage. Cr*p. Take a look at this comment I made yesterday regarding pronunciation: http://www.italki.com/discussion/95319. It also applies to grammar and vocabulary. There is nothing 'original' about British English. And how can American English not be 'authentic', when it is used by over 300 million people in the US and countless millions of other people worldwide? This so-called opinion sounds like political propaganda. 2. Because money talks. The US is the world leader in commerce, industry, technology... if someone feels that they have to choose between two main varieties of English, then it stands to reason that US English would seem to be the logical choice. What most non-natives don't realise, however, is that it US and GB English are actually the SAME language. It isn't like Arabic, for example, which varies so greatly from one region to another that natives of one Arabic-speaking country may be incomprehensible to those of another. The grammar of US and GB English is the same, 95% of the vocabulary is the same, and the pronunciation is similar enough to be universally comprehensible. And who cares whether you write 'color' or 'colour'? It really doesn't matter. The differences are tiny and getting smaller all the time.

1) I have heard that the British believe that the English language originated in England, and that American English is not authentic. Is this true? Please explain if possible. 2) Why do most non-English people throughout the world tend to learn and speak American English? 1) Original English was Victorian English, which is not spoken today. Every language changes over time and is a little different in each separate region where it is spoken. This is the same with all languages. British English today is a little bit different than American English, Australian English, or Indian English, but are close enough to be understood by all. 2) American English is spoken mostly because the computer/technology age developed first in the USA, This ability to communicate globally combined with a large population (350 million people) and massive commercial/industrial base to take the lead worldwide in which language would be most commonly used. Great question, you will get a lot of opinions!

1) No it is not true. At all. I don't know where you heard that but it is complete and utter nonsense. I've never met anyone in all my life who thinks the language outside England is not 'authentic', whatever the hell that means. It sounds even more silly given the language is almost entirely the same in all the different English speaking nations in the world. Sure the accents vary but the language is the same. 2) American film, TV and music is very popular. The US is a world superpower. There are lots of resources out there to listen to US English. Seems logical it would be the most popular variant to become familiar with. But there is no American language or British language, there is just one language, English spoken in different parts of the world.They are completely mutually intelligible to native speakers.

No you don't. You are generalising because you prefer the UK over the US.

@Paul So, you are really lucky that you met some good people in the USA. You are lucky. I don't want to say that all the Americans are bad, but I know most of them aren't as good as British people.