In today’s globalised world there are many reasons to learn a foreign language, and many benefits to studying English specifically.
Currently, there are around 1.5 billion English speakers around the world, which represents a fifth of the world’s total population. English is spoken in some of the most economically and culturally influential countries globally, and over the centuries has become the main language not only of international communication, but of international business, academia, medicine, science, technology and law.
When you consider this, it’s no wonder that so many people select to learn English as a way to enhance their life and the opportunities available to them, as well as exercise their brain!
In this article, we’ll look at eight of the many advantages that learning English will give you in 2023.
8 Benefits of Learning English in 2023
Benefit #1: Improve & Widen Employment Prospects
Benefit #2: Explore the World With Confidence
Benefit #3: Access World-Class Education Systems & Establishments
Benefit #4: Increase Cognitive Ability
Benefit #5: Start a Life in an English-Speaking Country
Benefit #6: Improve Communication Skills
Benefit #7: Open Up a World of Entertainment & Popular Culture
Benefit #8: Improve Your Confidence
Benefit #1: Improve and widen employment opportunities
As the primary language of communication across the globe, proficiency in English is a highly sought-after skill in the international workplace and one of the benefits of learning English is therefore that it significantly boosts your job opportunities.
Job applicants with fluency in English on their CV/resumé are statistically proven to have increased hiring potential. This may prove especially important in 2023 as many countries experience economic downturn and unemployment, partly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also widely recognised that those with second language fluency, whether they are bilingual or have studied a foreign language, can generally expect a higher salary (up to 10% – 15%) than those without.
It’s worth noting that some global professions have a particular need for English speakers, given that the main language within them – and global communication conducted within their communities – is English.
The business world and international trade are, of course, known for their use of English, and English has, for example, also become the international language of science and medicine since the mid 20th century. English is also the main language of the internet. An estimated 565 million people use the internet every day, and an estimated 55.5% of the world’s most visited websites are displayed in the English language.
American companies such as IBM, Microsoft and other tech pioneers were the ones who invented the first programming languages, and English is still the most widely used and therefore most important language in the world of programming and coding.
Benefit #2: Explore the world with confidence
Travel and exploring the world are once again on many people’s agendas.
As well as countries where English is the main language, such as the UK, United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, there are scores of different countries which also list English as an official language! These include Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Kenya, Hong Kong, India, Mauritius and the Philippines.
Knowledge of English equips you with the tools to travel and communicate more effectively in so many parts of the world, which, in turn, allows to you to explore and travel more confidently and to learn more about the countries and cultures you visit.
Benefit #3: Access world-class education systems and establishments
Another reason to study English is the access it can give you to some of the best education systems and institutes in the world.
Many of the world’s best universities are either situated in the UK and the USA, or use English as the main language for their courses, and English skills are therefore key when it comes to applying.
If you aspire to study at an English-speaking university, including the likes of Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge or MIT, then achieving English proficiency is essential.
Benefit #4: Increase your cognitive ability (aka, brain power!)
Learning a second language is proven to be one of the best ways to keep your brain challenged and active. Studies have shown that the brain undergoes changes in electrical activity and even structure and size while learning another language; changes which do not occur when learning any other type of task or skill.
No matter what age you start at, there are benefits to learning a new language in addition to your native language.
It is now known that people who speak more than one language fluently have better memories and are more cognitively creative than those who don't, and in addition, studies suggest that the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed later for bilinguals than for monolinguals, meaning that knowledge of a second language can help us to stay mentally healthy for longer.
Benefit #5: Start a life in an English-speaking country
Another benefit of learning English is that it can offer you the chance to move to an English-speaking country. Often, to become a citizen in an English-speaking country, you must achieve a certain level of English proficiency.
Speaking and understanding English will also improve your chances of finding employment, and will help you converse and communicate successfully with those around you – whether it’s at the supermarket, the doctors, or with new friends and neighbours.
Benefit #6: Improve communication skills
When you learn English as a second language, you are also learning new ways to think and express yourself both verbally and through the written word.
Learning multiple languages can help you communicate more clearly in any language as you learn more about how language itself works and how to use it to communicate with others in all kinds of social, educational and professional settings.
Benefit #7: Open up a world of entertainment and popular culture
Many of the world’s most iconic film and TV shows have been produced in the English language, much of it in Hollywood, and English fluency will offer you the chance to enjoy and appreciate them in their original form — either with or without subtitles.
The same applies to literature, and with so many world-famous works produced originally in the English language, you will have endless options to enjoy. From JK Rowling to Shakespeare, there is something to suit all tastes!
Watching and reading English language media will also enhance your language skills, in particular your listening skills and reading skills. Familiarity with this type of world-famous pop culture will open up endless topics of conversation when you come to practising your speaking skills too!
Benefit #8: Improve your confidence
Being able to speak a foreign language is a sought-after and much admired skill, no matter what your motivation for learning. A final benefit of learning English, or any other foreign language, therefore, is the pride and self confidence that comes with knowing your language skills can help you work and travel in different parts of the world, and communicate with people from all kinds of cultures and backgrounds.
Self-confidence can take you far in the world of today, and mastering a new and useful language will certainly help you achieve it.
Looking for English courses?
At Kings, we offer a wide range of English courses across our locations in the UK (Brighton, Bournemouth, London or Oxford) and the USA (Boston, New York or Los Angeles). Whether you are learning English for life, for exam success, for university success or for career success, there is a course to suit your needs. We also offer popular online programmes, both in Essential English and IELTS/TOEFL preparation.
For a full list of courses and detailed information on all please click here
If you’re ready to book, you can do so via the Kings Booking portal.
If you have any questions about our English courses, please get in touch with us at enquiries@kingseducation.com.
