The Importance of Learning English

In today’s global village, it has become the lingua franca of international business, technology, science, and communication. With over a billion speakers worldwide, English bridges countries and cultures, offering opportunities and access to vast troves of knowledge. This article explores the many reasons why learning English is not just beneficial, but essential in the modern world.

The benefits of learning English are numerous and varied. From enhancing personal growth to securing professional successes, English language proficiency is a catalyst for potential and a passport to a world of opportunities. It’s not just learning a language; it’s about opening a gateway to the world, being a part of a global community, and navigating the future with confidence. Whether for travel, culture, education, or career, the importance of learning English cannot be overstated in our increasingly interconnected world.

Career Opportunities

Proficiency in English is often a prerequisite for job opportunities, particularly in multinational companies and countries with large tourism industries. It opens doors to careers worldwide and is a valuable asset on any resume. Additionally, the international language of academia is primarily English.

Access to Educational Resources

English grants access to the world’s premier educational institutions, such as Harvard, Oxford, and MIT. Mastering English expands one’s horizons to study abroad programs, scholarships, and higher learning opportunities which might otherwise be inaccessible.

English is also the leading language of the internet. Much of the digital content—whether academic papers, technology forums, or online courses—is produced in English. Knowledge of the language is key to leveraging these resources for personal and professional growth.

Cultural Understanding

Learning English offers exposure to a wide swath of cultures, literature, history, and media. It is the language of Shakespeare, the Beatles, Hollywood films, and countless books that shape societal narratives. Understanding English enables individuals to engage directly with materials that reflect the cultural and intellectual fabric of many societies.

Competitiveness in the Job Market

In the global economy, a strong command of English can be as important as expertise in a particular field. It can be the differentiator in a competitive job market, setting candidates apart and showing potential employers their readiness to operate in a global setting.

Navigating Technology

With the preeminence of English in technology and science, those striving to be at the forefront of innovation and development in their industries benefit significantly from English fluency. Terms, commands, coding languages, manuals, and best practices are primarily in English, making it integral for keeping abreast with technology.

Social Networking

In a world where networking is key to success, English serves as a critical link among diverse groups. Social media platforms, forums, and professional networks predominantly operate in English, enabling connection, collaboration, and shared learning across different cultures and backgrounds.

Teaching English to children

Oral language development typically precedes the acquisition of reading and writing skills.

In the early stages of learning their native language, infants go through a ‘silent period,’ observing and absorbing information through facial expressions and gestures before they start speaking. Similarly, when young children are acquiring English, there might be a comparable ‘silent period’ during which comprehension and communication occur before the actual use of English words.

Parents are advised not to pressure children into participating in spoken conversations during this phase. Spoken interactions should be one-sided, with adults providing ample opportunities for children to absorb language. When adults employ parentese (modified speech) to aid learning, children may employ similar strategies to those used when acquiring their native language.

Initiating Verbal Expression

Over time, with the frequency of English sessions and typically at a quicker pace for girls than boys, each child begins uttering individual words (‘cat,’ ‘house’) or ready-made short phrases (‘What’s that?,’ ‘It’s my book,’ ‘I can’t,’ ‘That’s a car,’ ‘Time to go home’) in conversations or as spontaneous remarks. The child has committed these expressions to memory, precisely imitating pronunciation without recognizing that some may consist of more than one word. This stage persists as the child continues to absorb more language, using it as a shortcut to engage in dialogue before venturing into creating their own phrases.

Language Development

Gradually, children progress to constructing phrases, starting with a single memorized word to which they incorporate additional words from their vocabulary (‘a dog,’ ‘a brown dog,’ ‘a brown and black dog’) or a single memorized phrase to which they add their unique contributions (‘That’s my hat,’ ‘Time to learn’). Depending on their exposure to English and the quality of the learning experience, children gradually evolve to form complete sentences.

Comprehension

The ability to understand surpasses that of speaking, and it’s crucial not to underestimate young children’s aptitude for comprehension. Accustomed to deducing meaning in their home language from various contextual cues, children, even if not comprehending everything, grasp the essence of communication. They discern a few essential words and utilize different clues to interpret the overall meaning. With encouragement, they swiftly apply these skills to understand English.

Challenges and Overcoming Frustration

Following the initial excitement of English sessions, some young children may face frustration due to their difficulty expressing thoughts in English. Others may desire to articulate themselves in English as swiftly as they do in their home language. Addressing this frustration can involve providing children with ‘performance’ pieces, such as showcasing their ability to count to 12 in English or recite simple rhymes that consist of ready-made phrases.

Errors

Children should not be explicitly corrected for mistakes as immediate corrections can be demotivating. Mistakes might be a natural part of the process of grasping English grammar rules or may involve pronunciation issues. For instance, saying ‘I goed’ may evolve into ‘went’ if the child hears the adult affirmatively respond with ‘yes, you went.’ Similarly, if a child says ‘zee bus,’ and the adult repeats ‘the bus,’ the child may self-correct over time, much like when learning their home language.

Gender Disparities

Boys’ brain development differs from that of girls, impacting how they acquire and use language. Mixed classes sometimes overlook the distinct language needs of boys, who might be overshadowed by girls’ innate language abilities. To help boys reach their potential, they require specific language experiences that differ from those of girls, and their achievements should not be compared directly.

Language-Learning Environments

Creating suitable language-learning environments is crucial for young children to effectively acquire English, with adult support using ‘parentese’ techniques. Key considerations include:

• Providing a sense of security and a clear purpose for using English.
• Linking activities to familiar, everyday experiences, such as sharing an English picture book or saying a rhyme in English.
• Incorporating adult language with running commentaries and dialogues using adjusted parentese language.
• Ensuring that English sessions are enjoyable, focusing on concepts already understood in their home language, so children are not learning both a new concept and new language simultaneously.
• Supporting activities with specific objects whenever possible, as it aids understanding and enhances overall interest.

Reading Skills

To begin decoding English, young children must be familiar with the names and sounds of the 26 alphabet letters. Since English has 26 letters but approximately 44 sounds (in standard English), introducing the additional sounds is more effective after children gain more experience with language and reading.

Starting to read in English is smoother when young children are already acquainted with the language they are attempting to read. Exposure to shared picture books helps children independently figure out how to read in English, often memorizing the language. 

Parental Involvement

Children need to perceive progress, requiring ongoing encouragement and acknowledgment of their achievements, as success serves as a strong motivator. Parents, even if they have basic English proficiency and are learning alongside their children, are well-placed to offer motivation and support.

Through shared activities, parents can integrate their child’s language and learning into family life, influencing their children’s attitudes toward language learning and other cultures.