When you choose to invest your time and energy into learning a second language, deciding which language you choose is undoubtedly important. So why should you study English as your second language?
Of all the many languages spoken around the world, English is one of the most accessible to learn. It has a fairly simple verb tense system, quite a basic alphabet, and is very flexible. You can quickly learn some basic English and reach a survival level without much difficulty, especially if you follow a study method which focuses on speaking and listening. But you can also work towards a higher level of fluency within a relatively short period of time, something which is not always possible in other languages. Written English is not that different from the spoken language, and tends to be quite short and concise, so you can easily start writing some basic emails for work and travel.
When you play a video game or check your social network page, watch a video or listen to a song, I bet you hear or read something in English! Knowing English opens the door to understanding a lot of really cool things. Many comments posted online or funny stories appear in English because the writers know he or she will reach a greater number of people. And many of the most popular films and television series are available first in English, so if you understand English you don’t have to wait until they are translated into your native language.
Have you ever tried doing a search for something in your native language and then again in English? The quantity of search results in English is astonishing. This is also true of literature – the number of books written in English far exceeds any other language. Many schools and universities in non-native English-speaking countries are now teaching subjects in English rather than in the local language, and students are doing projects and exams in English too. Why? Because future generations will undoubtedly need to use English during their careers, and it makes sense to help young people be as well-prepared for this as possible.
There are few jobs today that don’t require the use of English in one way or another. Just think about computers and technology – many terms that we all use every day are in English and are not translated into your native language. And of course, more and more companies are working with clients or suppliers from abroad and it’s almost impossible not to use English. English is a very practical language for business communication and is almost always the preferred choice by international companies as their official language.
As a global community, international travel has become the norm for many of us. Holidays in a foreign country frequently mean learning the local language or using English, and for the majority of people English is the easiest and most practical option. If you speak English, you can book trips, hotels, follow a guided tour and understand all the tourist information available all around the world.
If you can speak English, just think of all the new people you can meet and communicate with. Knowing English can completely transform your social interactions when you travel or when foreigners visit your country. Instead of depending on someone else to interpret or translate for you, you can directly interact with local people on holiday or foreign business people at a fair.
