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Advice

Five reasons to Learn English

Posted: 7th July 2015 08:20

Global Reach

According to the UNESCO, English is the second most widely spoken language by number of native speakers and as a second language.  It is the official language of 53 countries and spoken by over 400 million people worldwide.  As a result, English is the language of choice for international conferences and events, the global media and numerous international educational institutions across the world.  Mastering English will not only make travelling around the world easier but, it is a pre-requisitefor anyone with international career ambitions.  English is also the most used language on the internet!

Understanding ‘Real’ English

When you are taught English as a second language you are trained to speak in what the British refer to as ‘BBC English’.  This style of pronunciation is neutral, accent-less and has no regional peculiarities; it is the language of UK broadcasting, not the British people.  It is crucial to have experience of the language on British soil by attending a language school.  The UK’s dialects may be initially challenging to the foreign ear but, learning in the UK will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of English and prepare you appropriately if you want to work or study in the country. 

Renowned Universities

The UK is home to 11 top 100 world universities according to the Times Higher Education Rankings including the prestigious University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London and King’s College London.  But, saying that you understand English is not enough to guarantee a place.  It is essential to obtain an IELTS qualification as validation of your abilities and it is best to be officially qualified by an English language school in the UK.  Studying at a UK school will also demonstrate your study commitments and enable you to discover the country before moving. 

Literary Heritage

If you learn English you will be able to understand some of the world’s most famous writers as they were intended.  This level of comprehension is vital for those who wish to study culture and world literature.  The works of Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, George Orwell, Lewis Carroll and countless others will be open to you, as well as renowned poets such as Blake, Kipling, Wordsworth, Woolf and Tennyson.  As you get to grips with these English texts, your linguistic abilities will rapidly improve by having a knock-on effect on your spoken and written abilities. 

Language of Business

English is commonly referred to as the language of business because, when it comes to international trade communication, English is the language of choice.  No matter what corner of the globe your career takes you, any business conducted between international partners will generally be carried out in English; even if it is not the first language of any participant.  There are also numerous multinational corporations whose business language is English regardless of what country they are headquartered in.  You can only gain entrance and stand out in this competitive sector, and thus progress your career prospects, if you learn English. 

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