Regardless of where in the world you’re located, you’ll always hear people speaking English in business settings. It is clear that English is extremely relevant in several different areas and occupations.
Because it is so important, it would be wise to keep trying to learn it so you’re not left out of that reality. English can really change your career for the better.
To help you get motivated, here’s a list of 15 facts that will show you just how relevant English is to your career.
Why English Has Become More Relevant for Business
We need to go back in time to understand this. English spread around the world as the British Empire expanded. That happened roughly 500 years ago.
Britain’s territory is small and has limited resources, so the United Kingdom felt compelled to explore new lands and establish trade with the rest of the world. That’s how the expansion began.
Several colonies were built from the recently-discovered lands of America and Oceania to the already known lands of Africa and Asia. And each had a different purpose. From settlements to resource extraction. And trade was obviously a huge part of it.
Trade is what allowed the English language to expand. Because its grammar is simple and its vocabulary isn’t so vast, local populations could learn it more easily.
After declaring independence, the United States started to grow on their own, with a territory spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This helped the language spread throughout North America, making English the most spoken language in the US and Canada.
In the 20th century, especially after the two World Wars, a revolution in communications started to flourish. In an attempt to secure their hegemony over the Soviet Union, the United States found ways to spread their influence across the world. That was done through their pop culture and art, especially music and film, using English as a tool.
How Does Your Career Tie into This?
Aside from the cultural influence, the US also became a major player in the world economy during the second half of the 20th century. When the Soviet Union collapsed and the internet was popularized, English established its role as the business world’s primary language. This consequently increased the relevance of learning English to most professionals in every country.
The need to communicate in English when doing business is a byproduct of England’s expansion, followed by the US. Also, the influence the world’s top economies have in our lives is undeniable. This makes English essential if you want to survive in the business world.
There are many aspects to this topic. We’ll show you below 15 important facts that prove English affects your professional life. It’ll help you understand why English is so important and may motivate you to study more.
15 Facts That Show Why English Is Important for Your Career
1. Business Anytime, Anywhere
The English language is literally spoken everywhere on this planet. English is the official or second official language in many countries, most of which are key players in the market. That’s why learning English is crucial if you want to do business.
And that’s considering only those countries where English is the official or most spoken language. If we add the other nations where most people speak English, the global reach of the language expands even further. This allows people to do business 24/7 all around the world.
2. English Is the Most Understood Language in the World
Apart from its approximately half a billion native speakers, English is understood by another billion people. Almost two billion, actually. A quarter of the world population speaks English. So, there’ll always be somebody to talk to. Whether it’s a colleague, an employer, or a business partner. Are you starting to see just how relevant English is to your career?
3. Official Negotiation Language
Most corporate headquarters are located in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of them are based in English-speaking countries, such as the US or the UK. So, we’re not exaggerating when we say it is the standard language for business.
4. Middleman
Most people would love to learn a new language. The same applies to native English speakers. And being able to communicate in English is essential on many occasions.
English is often used when teaching other languages, acting as a middleman. Students from different countries use English so they can all learn together. And English is also the language in which most learning materials are published.
5. English in Pop Culture
English is also important outside of business contexts. Learning a new language and building a relationship with another culture involves understanding that culture.
And in terms of global entertainment, most of it is in English. Movies and TV shows, for example, are broadcast around the world in their original language.
Learning about another culture encourages empathy and brings people closer together, helping professionals close deals with foreign clients or collaborators more easily.
6. Learning English Is Easy
Although some experts would disagree, English is one of the easiest languages to learn and master.
In fact, you can speak the language at a satisfactory level after only a few months. And that’s great, considering how relevant English is in so many different industries. Many companies require it, but at least it’s easy to learn.
7. Simplified Vocabulary
An interesting point is that English is both simple and moderately extensive. Extensive because it has the most words compared with other languages, including several terms with the same meaning and local terms that are only used in certain areas. And simple because you don’t need to know that many words to be able to properly communicate with other people.
The learning curve is smoother. And faster.
And we know being fast is great for business. So, if you need to learn a language, the process can be sped up. It ignites people’s competitiveness toward improving their English skills in order to stand out.
8. Versatility
English is very relevant in the business world because it offers something every professional needs: versatility. Its extensive vocabulary and simplified grammar allow you to say the same thing in several different ways. Or you can use the same word in different ways. The verb “to set” alone has 430 uses!
9. Variety of Accents
As mentioned above, English is the world’s second most spoken language. And considering all the various ways of saying the same thing, English is spoken in many different ways depending on your whereabouts. And since there are so many different accents anyway, why worry about yours? You’ll be understood wherever you go, regardless of how you pronounce words.
However, in business, you need to keep improving. The better your English is, the more credibility you’ll be able to offer your clients, collaborators, and employers.
10. A Dynamic Language
This is another strength that shows how useful business English is. It’s a fast-paced language. In fact, it has the least pauses within each word. And between words in general. Talking fast also speeds up the learning process.
11. Opportunities Abroad
Working abroad would be a dream come true for many people. It doesn’t matter where you live. And it’s totally doable if you speak English. Even if it’s not the local language. You’ll probably be able to communicate just as well.
12. A Multicultural Language
English respects the culture of each country where it is spoken. The number of words that only exist in specific places serves to prove that. And if you want to get to know someone else’s culture (thus identifying with it), just pay attention to how they talk.
13. Connection to Other Languages
You’ve probably noticed how English sometimes can be so similar to other languages, like German, French, or even Spanish. Close contact with those languages throughout the centuries helped shape English that way. And this also makes it easier to both learn and use it. It makes it possible for English to act as a middleman when learning other languages, as pointed out above.
14. English is on the Rise
One out of four people speak English nowadays. And the number may double over the next decade. English is bound to become even more relevant globally. So, if you want to do business with over 4 billion people, learning English is essential.
15. Constantly Evolving
Every two hours, a new word is added to the English language. That’s roughly 4 thousand a year! Sooner or later, no matter what you do for a living, English will be a part of your daily routine.
English is becoming increasingly relevant to all professionals. In other words, learning English is vital for a successful career. And learning from native tutors is a huge plus. So, don’t stay behind. Schedule your first class on the Cambly app right now!
