If you are a busy person who needs to learn a new language, you might be thinking, is learning English worth it? Let us find out the answer.
Learning English is definitely worth it. Because most people in practically every region of the world speak and understand English, it is generally regarded as a global language. The benefits of learning a foreign language in general and English are numerous in today’s globalized society. A major language for worldwide business, academics, medicine, science, technology, and law, English is spoken in some of the world’s most economically and culturally significant nations. Over the years, it has also become the language of international communication.
Read on and find out numerous reasons why learning English must be included in your personal and professional goals.
Is Learning English Worth it for Non-native English Speakers?
People with limited English proficiency (LEP) and proficient biliteracy fall under the non-native English speaker category. Compared to native speakers, they are less proficient in the language, making it less dependable to communicate their goals. For this reason, they must acquire English as a second language.
Notably, English as a Second Language (ESL) is the study of English in a nation where it is not the primary language, such as the United Kingdom, as opposed to English as a Foreign Language (EFL), which is the study of English in a nation where it is the primary language.
The primary distinction between ESL and EFL is that ESL refers to studying and instruction in English as a second language, whereas EFL denotes studying and instruction in English as a foreign language. Although a person learning English as a second language can carry on a conversation, the nuances of social settings and language usage will be challenging to teach.
In contrast to someone learning English in their home country, who might not even have access to a native speaker, those who are immersed in an ESL environment get to use what they have learned in real-world contexts. The experiences that someone studying English as a second language has outside of the classroom cannot be fully replaced by classroom instruction. ESL and EFL differ in several ways. First, compared to its equivalent, English as a Second Language is far more immersive, giving you a higher degree of exposure and more chances to speak and use what you have learned in various contexts. ESL is far less constrained than EFL, where most learning will occur in a classroom.
How Beneficial Is It to Learn the English Language?
Are you still confused answering the main question, is learning English worth it? Well, we can see that learning English is incredibly beneficial and can lead to numerous chances, even though it can be difficult and time-consuming. Learning English is crucial for our personal and professional lives because it is the language used for media, the internet, and worldwide communication.
1. Boost your career prospects
One advantage of learning English is that it considerably increases your career chances because English is the major language of communication used worldwide and is consequently a highly sought-after ability in global business. It’s important to remember that some international professions have a particular requirement for English speakers because the language used for internal communication and international business is English. It has been demonstrated through statistics that candidates who demonstrate English proficiency on their CV or resume are more likely to be hired. This may be particularly crucial in 2021 if the COVID-19 epidemic causes economic recession and unemployment in numerous nations.
2. English is the language of business
Research, marketing, communication, and the creation of numerous relationships are all necessary for businesses. English language ability is essential for this. According to research from around the globe, English is the language of choice for cross-border business communication, and many multinational corporations demand that their staff members speak it well. For many organizations, email is the preferred method of communication with clients and other enterprises. Therefore, knowing English well will always help you as you advance in your job and business. Language competence is crucial for top roles because you’ll need to properly engage with external stakeholders,
clients, regulators, and governments.
3. Opportunity to have a world-class education
You will have more options to study at prestigious colleges with top-notch educational systems if you are fluent in English. Many schools are offering English education all over the world. Many international organizations award scholarships to international students who are fluent in English. Only if you are fluent in the language may you contribute to conversations, assignments, and other academic texts.
4. Improve communication skills
As you get a deeper understanding of how language functions and how to use it to interact with others in various social, academic, and professional contexts, learning many languages can help you speak more clearly in any language. The language for communicating with people from different cultures is widely considered English. Your social network can likely be expanded by learning English. You gain new methods of thinking and expressing yourself when you study English as a second language, both orally and in writing. If you speak English, it’s simple to meet people worldwide.
5. Explore the world with confidence
With the ability to travel and converse more effectively in so many different locations throughout the world, having a working knowledge of English gives you the freedom to explore the world with greater confidence and discover the people and cultures of the places you visit. You’ll have a higher sense of freedom and be able to converse in English with non-native speakers and speak it with native English speakers. Because of this, you’ll have the chance to discover new cultures, meet new people, and form lifelong friendships with folks from all over the world. Surely, when someone asked you, is learning English worth it, you would answer yes right away without hesitation.
6. Access to the world of media and entertainment
The world’s best movies, books, and music are frequently released and created in English. You can access entertainment, the media, and the internet by learning English. The same is true of literature and given the abundance of well-known works that were first published in English, you have a virtually limitless selection to choose from. We use the internet frequently, and as you may have noticed, most of the websites we visit are frequently shown in English. English is the language of the internet. The news media heavily relies on the use of English. Journalists and writers worldwide increasingly prioritize English proficiency since they see it as a necessary ability for their professions. We can keep up with everything around us thanks to the English language.
There are numerous justifications for investing time and energy in language study. These are only a few benefits of speaking English if you were fortunate enough to start studying the language at a young age. If you are an adult, though, you might use this as inspiration to work hard and learn the second most spoken language in the world. Now, ask yourself, is learning English worth it? Speaking English fluently is undoubtedly a valuable ability to have because we never know what the future holds. Regardless of the circumstances, we find ourselves in; such as a job promotion in an international company or moving to a different country, we never know what the future holds.
How to Overcome Language Barriers
Even though English is seen as an approachable and generally simple language to learn, it may nonetheless be a difficult undertaking. But once you master it, all of your time and work spent learning the language will have been worthwhile.
Here are our best tips for learning English quickly and efficiently:
1. Improve English speaking skills
- Speak English
You can improve your English language skills and confidence by using the language every day. Remember that having confidence is essential for speaking naturally and enjoying the learning process. Continue speaking aloud, even if you have little knowledge. Search for ways to practice your spoken English regularly. Talk as much as possible, even if it’s only to yourself.
- Record your voice
Although most people find it annoying to have their voice recorded, it’s a very helpful approach to hone your speaking. Consider making a recording of yourself speaking English and playing it back. You’ll be able to hear your voice and identify any errors. This approach can practice new vocabulary and phrases and enhance your English pronunciation. Your speech may be much better than anticipated, which would be a pleasant surprise.
- Practice with friends
Learning another language can be challenging, especially if you’re doing it alone. Being with your pals is one of the finest ways to learn English. Create scenarios with your pals so you may practice your new vocabulary and phrases in various contexts while acting out different situations. Together, you may practice grammar rules and discover new vocabulary words while having fun while you study with your pals. You get knowledge on how to apply the language in practical settings. You also benefit from one another’s blunders. Together, these activities will help you learn English more quickly.
2. Improve English listening skills
- Listen regularly
It’s crucial to develop your listening and speaking abilities as well. Even if you don’t like music much, watching or listening to English-language music videos or songs will help you learn new vocabulary that you can use later. Podcasts are a great resource for enhancing your English intonation and sounds. You can learn a lot about new words or expressions’ meanings by looking at the context, which is crucial. The best approach to learning to speak English is via listening. You can pick up helpful vocabulary and grammar by listening without realizing it or memorizing it.
- Listen to native media
Today, there is growing public awareness of how the challenge of fostering media literacy is made more difficult by the contemporary media landscape, which includes social media platforms and sophisticated fakes. Many people discover that watching movies and listening to music in the language can improve their study efforts. For assistance with grammar and fluency, try listening to English-language media. It’s also an enjoyable method of learning that can help you broaden your vocabulary.
- Overhear an English Conversation
Spend an afternoon looking for an English discussion if you live elsewhere where English is spoken. Slow down and pay attention when you begin to hear English. Since you’ll probably start to listen in the middle of the conversation, you won’t first understand what they’re talking about. This will increase its difficulty to understand while also increasing its enjoyment.
- Listen to yourself
This strategy for improving listening skills is related to the one that came before it. If you are speaking to yourself in the mirror or in your brain, you are already listening to yourself. To improve your listening comprehension in English, use your voice.
3. Improve English reading and writing skills
- Make time to read
You can start reading material appropriate for your level even if it is extremely simple because you will lose motivation if it is too challenging. Read everything written in English: classic literature, paperbacks, newspapers, websites, emails, your social media feed, or cereal boxes. This information will contain a good amount of new vocabulary and some words you probably already know. This helps you advance quickly because it exposes previously taught language to fresh examples in context, which helps you retain those terms.
- Keep a diary in English
Writing about your everyday experiences can help you improve your writing in English. You learn terms that are relevant to your way of life, and it helps you think in the language. At first, writing a diary entry could take some time, but with time and repetition, you will get better. Additionally, since you are “writing to yourself,” you might feel satisfied and liberated. Simple sentences are fine; you are not required to compose complex sentences.
- Learn how to organize a paragraph
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence, i.e., a statement that defines what you will write about, as this is a good technique for improving your English writing abilities. Add more sentences that provide details about the topic to your argument. Include a conclusion at the end of your paragraph, which should summarize the points you made in the body. To write a work that flows smoothly, learn how to use transitions to show relationships between paragraphs and ideas.
4. Improve your English vocabulary
- Build your vocabulary
Choose new words to learn each day, and then repeat them to help your brain remember them. This will help you expand your vocabulary. This advice is well-known for a reason. We frequently find a new word or phrase so enjoyable when learning it that forgetting it seems impossible. Develop the habit of always having a quirky notepad with you or using a program like Evernote to combat this. Every time you hear or read a new word or phrase, record its meaning and write it down in context, that is, in a sentence.
- Learn phrases
It’s crucial to learn new terms and vocabulary. However, knowing a lot of widely used expressions is helpful when learning English conversation. You might describe drinks as a cup of tea, coffee, wine, a pint of beer, etc. It is better to memorize those words than only the ones for wine, beer, tea, and other beverages.
- Keep an English Dictionary
It helps to have a dictionary on hand if you come across new words, whether reading, listening, or speaking. Your communication skills will improve since you can look up terms to determine their exact meaning and acquire antonyms and synonyms to avoid repeating words or phrases. You can now purchase thorough dictionary apps for your smartphone, ensuring you always carry one with you.
5. Learn English grammar
- Listen to native speakers
Listening to native speakers might be helpful while trying to master grammar. You might attempt to watch English-language news, listen to a friend’s conversation, or analyze actual conversations. Try utilizing subtitles to assist you in comprehending what people are saying if you are watching English speakers on the TV.
- Make your examples
Many times, textbooks and courses will include examples of how to employ a new grammar concept. Although these examples are useful, you should create sentences that apply to you to understand the grammar issue fully. You may practice applying the new syntax by coming up with your examples. Additionally, you’ll be more likely to recall the new vocabulary.
- Talk to people
Speaking with others is one of the easiest ways to learn English quickly. It would be best if you used the grammar you are familiar with while speaking to others. You can ask others to fix your grammar whether you speak with native speakers or other language learners. As you study, you’ll discover that most individuals are eager to assist you.
Is Learning English Worth It? The Verdict
After reading this article, can you now answer the question, is learning English worth it? We’ve looked at a few methods for learning English in this article. Many of these techniques can speed up and improve your learning. The most effective method for learning English will vary depending on the individual. Try various approaches to determine which is most effective for you.