From the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of central London to the serene tea gardens of Darjeeling, one language ties us all together – English. With over 1.5 billion people using it, and over 50 countries having it as an official language, English is the most spoken language in the world. Whether you plan to study in a foreign university, travel to other countries or find a job in a multinational company, learning English will help you do this.
English: The Language of Opportunity
In today’s global job market, English proficiency is almost as necessary as a university degree. Multinational companies have English as a basic requirement for jobs, and even companies in countries where English is not the official language often choose to communicate in English, making it the dominant business language.
Fluency in English is a valuable skill in the job market. Industries including aviation, healthcare and hospitality all use English as the primary method to communicate.
An example of this is a recent BBC documentary, Streets of Gold, which describes that English language skills automatically put people in Mumbai in a different class business wise since the majority of big business deals are done in English.
Overall, good English leads to better opportunities and more money. It has been estimated that knowing English (or other languages) increases salaries by an average of 30%, so learning it will certainly maximise your income potential in the business world.
English: The Language of the Internet
Well over half the content on the internet is in English, so it’s clear why it plays such a vital role in our lives. From reading the latest news to participating in discussions with people online, English helps you to do this.
Additionally, English is the common language of most business software and programming languages, making it necessary for anyone who uses them to learn English. Whether you are a computer programmer or graphic designer, the necessity of the English language in these careers is undeniable.
English: The Language of Academia
Out of the top 20 universities around the world, 17 are English-speaking. Even in countries where English isn’t the official language, knowledge of English is often a criteria for entry, and most international institutions require at least a B2 level of English for entry.
Another area where English is essential is academic research papers. Research suggests that up to 98% of all scientific research papers worldwide are written in English. This means that the ability to use English is vital for any student wishing to create publications.
If you want to reach a B2 level of English, check out our range of CEFR level courses here. Raising your level of English will lead to better opportunities to study in some of the best universities around the world!
English: The Language of Entertainment
The importance of learning English extends to entertainment too. A large percentage of popular movies and TV shows are in English. Novels, music and games also many commonly use English as the default language, so learning English will allow you to enjoy a much wider range of entertainment.
Proficiency in English makes watching movies and TV shows easy without the need for subtitles. On platforms like YouTube, most of the most popular channels are in English. There are tons of language vloggers and channels dedicated to online language learning, just like mine!
Check out my YouTube channel here with hundreds of videos dedicated to learning English.
English: The Language of Travel
Wherever you travel in the world, English will likely be understood by many, especially in hotels or famous tourist sites. English language skills are a basic requirement for most people working in hospitality around the world, with hotel, airport and transportation staff commonly fluent in English.
Having the ability to speak English makes travelling easier because it allows for better communication. When you arrive at an airport, or check in to an international hotel, everything will most likely appear in English. English is the universal language of travel and will open the whole world to you.
English: The Language of Expression
One of the best things about English is the flexible way you can use it. There are so many different ways to explain the same ideas due to the huge range of vocabulary and sentence structures. It has been estimated that there could be as many as 1 million words in the English language, and this number is constantly increasing with new words being created all the time.
Why English is Important in Our Life – Summary
Below are the top ten reasons why English is important in our lives.
- English is the most widely-spoken language in the world.
- It’s the international language of business.
- It enhances employability and increases salaries.
- English is the dominant language on the internet.
- English is the language of science and research.
- Many industries use English as the primary language of communication.
- Common software and programming languages use English.
- So much popular entertainment is in English.
- English facilitates international travel.
- English allows you to express ideas in so many different ways.
FAQs
How can I improve my English language skills?
Of course, communicating with fluent English speakers is a great way, but many students don’t have access to people who speak English. A great alternative is online classes where you can improve your English ability at home on the internet wherever you live in the world. Check out my range of English courses here and take your English proficiency to the next level.
Should I focus on Business English or General English?
It really depends on your reasons for learning English. If your focus is working in a company where you may need to use English, then business English would be more suitable. However, if you plan to learn English to travel or to communicate with people in everyday life, general English is more suitable.
What’s the best way to improve English?
The best way to improve English is by making it a part of your life. With continuous exposure and practice, you will soon develop stronger English skills and build confidence in speaking English with other people. However, there are a lot of complexities to learning English. A structured course that teaches you all the important grammar rules, key vocabulary and native language techniques will help to make this journey much faster.
Why not consider one of my English courses that will take your language ability to the next level in as little as 30 days!
