If you live in a predominantly English-speaking area, learning to speak English clearly and effectively is very important. Below are ten reasons why educating yourself in English fluency can help you in all facets of your life.
1. It can be fun!
Learning to speak English like a native doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, it can be fun! There are many opportunities for an ESL Learner to craft their English skills, some through mediums usually reserved for entertainment. Whether it’s to learn more words or for accent reduction in English, watching a movie or TV show, listening to music, reading a book, and playing games in English are all perfectly fine—and fun—ways of shaping your skills.
2. It will assist in your career
If you cannot speak English clearly, you will be at a disadvantage when it comes to job hiring. Employers are looking for people who can speak English clearly and confidently—if you can’t, you may miss out on important job opportunities. Gaining English speaking skills can give you a boost above your competition, especially if some of your competitors don’t have English comprehension.
3. It lets you communicate on a global level
There are over 6,500 spoken languages in the world. Learning English (or any other language, for that matter,) naturally opens up a ton of doors for communicating with others all over the planet. Is there really a better incentive than that?
4. It will expand your worldview
The world is filled with different perspectives and, unfortunately, many of us are only able to see it through one. Learning English, however, expands your mind and allows you to see the world through a different lens—through a different language. How cool is that?
5. It will help your family life
Imagine your brother has come down with some unknown ailment. Your skills in English could very well save his life through obtaining information non-English speakers can’t. Or maybe you’re in a foreign land on a vacation and need to ask for directions. Your non-English speaking family members won’t know how to communicate, but you will!
6. It can help ward off Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s is an incurable illness that affects the mind, but studies have shown that using your brain can help ward off diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Exercise your brain through learning English and keep it young and healthy.
7. It will help you understand American and English cultures
It’s agreeable that Americans and Brits both have many varying and idiosyncratic customs. Their cultures can seem strange and new, but learning English can help you make sense of it all. After learning to speak English, Americans and the British won’t seem quite so eccentric!
8. It will help you understand time
English has a ton of verb tenses—12, in fact! That’s more than most languages. By learning and understanding English you’ll be able to know exactly when something occurs thanks to the language’s love of tenses.
9. It will help you communicate no matter what the scenario
It’s very possible that wherever you may find yourself, somebody will speak English. If you are ever in danger or trapped somewhere with others, there’s a very high likelihood that many of the people around you will also speak English. Now there’s an advantage!
10. English is the language of Earth
While most of the world’s population speaks Chinese, it’s safe to say that English is the language of our planet. Over 50 states throughout the world use English as their first language and it has become the leading language of international dialogue. Now, don’t you want to be part of that?! ☺