Do you have any recollection of how long it took you to pick up a new language? Whether you began at a young age or as an adult, you likely remember devoting a significant amount of time, perhaps even years, to achieving your desired fluency level.
English is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. It’s a prevalent misunderstanding that learning English as a second language is simple and quick. The truth is rather different. To have enough command of English for the ordinary workplace, an adult who does not speak English as a first language will need at least 600 hours of practice. Without the use of a tutor, this can be significantly more difficult.
However, English literacy is without a doubt an investment that pays off handsomely in today’s fast-paced globalized world. Learning English can lead to increased work possibilities, personal and professional development, and access to the world’s collective wisdom.
Those who speak English have more contact with their peers and have better access to the top minds and ideas in their industry, from the big bosses to middle management and junior staff. Companies that make English their official language can recruit a broad workforce and so have access to global ideas, allowing them to be more inventive and profitable than their less diverse competitors. As a result, English is known as the language of the business world.
We’ve seen fast changes in how we trade information, interact across borders, and evolve in the modern workplace throughout the years. It’s no accident that the value of English proficiency is significantly increasing at the same time.
The 21st century has seen unprecedented cross-border exchanges of information and ideas. That exchange will only accelerate as worldwide English abilities increase and travel and communication costs decrease.
This affects not only professionals who need to keep up with international best practices but also businesses. A culture of English competence allows people to tap into pools of skill and experience that would have been out of reach just a few years ago.
Online collaboration tools, as well as actual conferences like TED presentations, are only getting better, allowing personnel in distant regions to communicate more frequently and casually. However, everything must be done in the same language, English.
As a result, modern workplaces are continuously evolving, increasing the need for employee up-skilling and re-skilling. English is required for access to these new learnings as well as flexibility. A major cultural shift toward lifelong learning is both required and unavoidable as the corporate world transforms.
As well as being good for the business itself, there are many benefits as an employee to learn English. Here are just a few reasons why being fluent in English will help you to achieve your goals:
Given that English is the most widely spoken and written language in the world, the bottom line is, that learning it can allow you to effectively communicate with other people. From giving your office interview to exploring new career opportunities, English is your savior. It is also the top language in technology and network-related fields.
To summarize, Speaking English has never been higher, and as a result, it is quickly becoming a necessary skill to stay competitive. Professionals require connections with colleagues and consumers, yet many are left behind.
Companies are advised to test their entire workforce to identify strategic English shortcomings and reduce the gap between current and target levels of English proficiency.
Through our bespoke ESL programs, we help companies by delivering industry-specific English lessons that will increase their employees’ English skills and therefore grow their business to the fullest potential!
