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Why Should I Learn English?
Whether you need to learn English to get your next job; to help you travel; or if you just want to learn a second language, learning English will be a rewarding skill and accomplishment which can improve your life!
Learning English will not only help you communicate with others in English-speaking countries, it will also help you to experience other cultures; develop you as an individual; and help you to see the world from a new perspective. [8]
Learning a second language (such as English) is also very beneficial in exercising the brain; improving cognitive abilities; slowing the brain’s ageing process; and delaying the onset of dementia. [14]
Are you convinced yet?
If not, here are another 6 reasons why you should choose English...
1. English is the most widely spoken language in the world
According to Ethnologue, English is now the leading international language of the world; the largest language by the most number of speakers (with 1.132 billion speakers worldwide); and the 3rd most spoken native language (with 379 million native speakers). [7]
English is also the world’s most-studied language, and is spoken by at least half of the population in 45 different countries. [1] [10]
2. It can help you communicate around the world
If you learn English, you will you be able to communicate effectively with others in English-speaking countries (e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand etc.), and gain greater understanding of their cultures. [5] [6] [9]
Also, as English is now a universal language, even if you are not in an English-speaking country, you are still likely to meet people who can speak English. [5] [6] [9]
3. It is the language of international business
Today, more and more national and international companies are adopting English as the world’s global trade language. [12] [3] [11]
This growing trend means that English is becoming a common language which helps different countries to easily trade and communicate with each other. [12] [3] [11]
4. It can give you greater job opportunities
As English is becoming the world’s international language, many companies are expecting (some even requiring) that their employees speak English. [11]
Using English is helping these companies to become more efficient, and being able to speak English can give you a competitive advantage over others. [14]
5. It is the dominant language of media and entertainment
English has become the primary language of the arts and the media, and the majority of the world’s well-known books, films, TV shows and music are now published and produced in English. [11] [4]
If you learn English, you won’t have to depend on subtitles or translations!
6. It is the dominant language of the internet and information
English was the language the internet was first written in, and even today, most web-based information is still written in English and then translated into other languages (including this website!). [15] [13] [2]
Today, over half of all online content is in English, with varying amounts of content available in other languages. [15] [13] [2]
Learning English will not only help you to communicate with others online, but will also give you greater access to online information!
[1] Badanjak, Iva. (2019). English – the most learned language in the world – is especially important for educators. DOREA Educational Institute. Online: https://dorea.org/english-the-most-learned-language-in-the-world-is-especially-important-for-educators/
[2] Bokor, Michael J. K. (2018). English Dominance on the Internet. Sociocultural Aspects of English Language Teaching Teaching Global Issues. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Online: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0281
[3] Borzykowski, Bryan. (2017). The international companies using only English. Modern Language. BBC Worklife. Online: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170317-the-international-companies-using-only-english
[4] Cholakova,Mariche. (2015). The Influence of the English Language in a Multilingual and a Monolingual Environmet – A Comparative Approach. European Centre for Research Training and Development UK. International Journal of English Language Teaching. Vol.3, No.4, pp.35-78. Online: http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Influence-Of-The-English-Language-In-A-Multilingual-And-A-Monolingual-Environmet-----A-Comparative-Approach.pdf
[5] Crystal, David. (2006). "Chapter 9: English worldwide". In Denison, David; Hogg, Richard M. A History of the English language. Cambridge University Press. pp. 420–439. ISBN 978-0-511-16893-2.
[6] Cystal, David. (2003). English as a Global Language. 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. Online: http://culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/pdf/research/books/nation_branding/English_As_A_Global_Language_-_David_Crystal.pdf
[7] Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). (2019). Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-second edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Online: https://www.ethnologue.com/guides/ethnologue200
[8] Mahu, Diana-Petruţa. (2012). Why Is Learning English So Beneficial Nowadays? Short Contributions – Perspectives on Communication. International Journal of Communication Research. volume 2. issue 4. pp. 374-376. Online: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0f67/63889794e16fe7295b874106951ea850e47d.pdf
[9] Munghate, Raju. (2012). Role of English in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Industry. Online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330555468_Role_of_English_in_Travel_Tourism_Hospitality_Industry
[10] Smith, Oliver. (2017). Mapped: Where to go if you can't be bothered to learn the language. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Online: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/mapped-english-speaking-countries/
[11] The British Council. (2013). The English Effect. The Impact of English, What It's Worth to the UK and Why It Matters to the World. Online: https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/english-effect-report-v2.pdf
[12] Tsedal, Neeley. (2012). Global Business Speaks English. Cross-Cultural Management. Harvard Business Review. Online: https://hbr.org/2012/05/global-business-speaks-english
[13] Young, Holly. (unknown). The digital language divide. How does the language you speak shape your experience of the internet? Online: http://labs.theguardian.com/digital-language-divide/
[14] Zazulak, Steffanie. (2017). Why should I learn English? Here’s why… Blog. Pearson English. Online: https://www.english.com/blog/why-should-i-learn-english/
[15] Zazulak, Steffanie. (2015). English: the language of the internet. Blog. Pearson English. Online: https://www.english.com/blog/english-language-internet/