In today’s globalized world, there are numerous reasons to learn a foreign language, and there are numerous advantages to studying English in particular.
Currently, there are approximately 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide, accounting for one-fifth of the global population. English is spoken in some of the world’s most economically and culturally influential countries, and it has evolved over time to become the primary language of international business, academia, medicine, science, technology, and law.
When you consider this, it’s no surprise that so many people choose to learn English as a way to improve their lives and opportunities, as well as to exercise their brain! We have listed the benefits below:
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Increase and diversify employment opportunities
As the primary language of communication around the world, English proficiency is a highly sought-after skill in the international workplace, and one of the advantages of learning English is that it significantly increases your job opportunities.
Job applicants who include English fluency on their CV/resumé have a higher chance of being hired. This may be especially important in 2023, when many countries are experiencing economic downturns and unemployment, owing in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also widely acknowledged that those with second language fluency, whether bilingual or having studied a foreign language, can generally expect to earn a higher salary (up to 10% – 15%) than those who do not.
It’s worth noting that some global professions have a particular need for English speakers, given that English is the primary language within them – and the primary language of global communication within their communities.
English is well-known in the business world and international trade, and it has also become the international language of science and medicine since the mid-twentieth century. English is also the most commonly used language on the internet. Every day, an estimated 565 million people use the internet, and an estimated 55.5% of the world’s most visited websites are displayed in English.
Explore the world with assurance.
Traveling and exploring the world are once again high on many people’s to-do lists. Along with countries where English is the primary language, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, there are a plethora of other countries where English is also an official language! Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Kenya, Hong Kong, India, Mauritius, and the Philippines are among them.
English proficiency tests online provides you with the tools you need to travel and communicate more effectively in many parts of the world, allowing you to explore and travel with greater confidence and learn more about the countries and cultures you visit.
Gain access to world-class educational systems and institutions.
Another reason to study English is to gain access to some of the world’s best educational systems and institutes.
Many of the world’s best universities are either located in the United Kingdom or the United States, or use English as the primary language for their courses, so English proficiency is essential when applying.
If you want to study at an English-speaking university, such as Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, or MIT, you must first master the language.
Improve your cognitive ability (also known as brain power!)
Learning a second language has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to keep your mind challenged and active. According to studies, learning another language causes changes in electrical activity, as well as structure and size, that do not occur when learning any other type of task or skill.
There are advantages to learning a new language in addition to your native language at any age.
People who speak more than one language fluently have better memories and are more cognitively creative than those who don’t, and studies show that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are diagnosed later in bilinguals than in monolinguals, implying that knowing a second language can help us stay mentally healthy for longer.
Begin your life in an English-speaking country.
Another advantage of learning English is that it may allow you to relocate to an English-speaking country. To become a citizen of an English-speaking country, you must frequently demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency.
Speaking and understanding English will also help you find work and converse and communicate effectively with those around you, whether at the supermarket, the doctor’s office, or with new friends and neighbors.
Improve your communication abilities.
When you study English as a second language, you are learning new ways to think and express yourself verbally and in writing.
Learning multiple languages can help you communicate more clearly in any language as you gain a better understanding of how language works and how to use it to communicate with others in a variety of social, educational, and professional settings.
Allow access to a world of entertainment and popular culture.
Many of the world’s most iconic films and television shows have been made in English, much of it in Hollywood, and English fluency will allow you to enjoy and appreciate them in their original form — with or without subtitles. The same is true for literature, and with so many world-famous works written in English, you will have an abundance of options to enjoy. There is something for everyone, from JK Rowling to Shakespeare!
Watching and reading English language media will also help you improve your language skills, particularly your listening and reading abilities. When it comes to practicing your speaking skills, familiarity with this type of world-famous pop culture will open up endless topics of conversation!
Increase your self-assurance.
Speaking a foreign language is a sought-after and highly regarded skill, regardless of your motivation for learning. The pride and self-confidence that comes from knowing your language skills can help you work and travel in different parts of the world, as well as communicate with people from various cultures and backgrounds, is a final benefit of learning English, or any other foreign language.
In today’s world, self-confidence can take you far, and learning a new and useful language will undoubtedly help you achieve it.
Learning English entails more than just memorizing words; it also entails improving your intonation, pronunciation, and overall comprehension, which can be accomplished with the assistance of Mercer | Mettl. When you are fluent in English, you will be able to communicate with others more naturally (without sounding like a robot!). This is an important aspect of what English proficiency tests look for. The advantage of studying for an English proficiency test online is that you can make mistakes and try again, and you have access to all of the resources you need. Best wishes for your studies!
