Professionals whose first language is not English could find themselves being left behind if they don’t invest the time and resources in improving their English language skills. One of the reasons for that is that when they lack English language skills, an otherwise competent professional could come off as lacking confidence. This can be a death knell for a person’s career especially one that requires a person to exhibit confidence when speaking publicly, making presentations, defending a thesis, or representing their companies abroad.
WHICH PROFESSIONAL NEED ENGLISH SKILLS?
Whether you work in the hospitality business, communications, technology, entertainment, STEM, aviation, or any other field, being able to speak, write and understand English is crucial today. According to ETSglobal.org, English is: “the language of science, aviation, computers, diplomacy and tourism.” The website also posits that English is “the language of international communication, the media and the internet.” No one can deny this basic assertion.
Professionals in just about any sector will benefit by speaking and/or writing better English. Whether you are a doctor, hotel worker, office assistant, engineer, CEO or nomad entrepreneur, your professional prospects will be improved when your English skills improve.
WHERE TO LEARN ENGLISH
Professionals in just about any sector will benefit by speaking and/or writing better English. Whether you are a doctor, hotel worker, office assistant, engineer, CEO or nomad entrepreneur, your professional prospects will be improved when your English skills improve.
HOW DOES ENGLISH PROFICIENCY HELP YOU AS A PROFESSIONAL?
1. English language skills improve your job prospects
The better your English skills, the greater your job prospects. It is true that other languages such as Chinese, Russian and Arabic are increasingly sought after language skills for certain sectors. China’s rise as a global superpower means that people in the business sector will benefit from learning Chinese. But by and large, English still edges Chinese as being the language of business and commerce, a lingua franca, if you will, that is the most important second language for non-native English speakers the world over. If you can speak English, it quite simply will improve your career prospects.Professionals in just about any sector will benefit by speaking and/or writing better English. Whether you are a doctor, hotel worker, office assistant, engineer, CEO or nomad entrepreneur, your professional prospects will be improved when your English skills improve.
2. English language skills improve your promotion prospects
It is not just a question of getting a job but also the question of getting promoted and increasing one’s salary at work. Those whose English skills are superior will have greater opportunities than those whose English skills are less stellar. If you want to move into a managerial role, for example, or even higher up to totem pole to the level of an executive, it behooves you to improve your English skills.
3. English language skills improves your higher education prospects
Going back to school after being in the workforce for some time is a common trajectory for a lot of professionals. However, many of the best programs are in English and they are also very competitive. So, those candidates who can speak and write English will be given a preference over those who cannot.
4. English language skills improves your business travel experiences
Many professionals need to travel for work. If your job calls for you to travel, it is highly likely that you will need to speak English well in order to do your job efficiently and safely. Again, English is the language of communication. Every hotel worker speaks English, the world over. When business executives and other international travelers have basic questions about the locale or even the hotel, it is imperative that they are able to communicate. Because there are so many different languages in the world, it was necessary to choose one language that everyone can understand. That language is English. Thus, not being able to communicate in English when your job calls for you to travel puts you at an immediate disadvantage.
THE BUSINESS OF LEARNING ENGLISH
English is a billion-dollar business the world over. Many companies and institutions offer programs specific to professionals. In New York, Pace University offers a program that is geared towards “improving the day-to-day business skills and challenges that professionals face, such as telephoning, conference calls, meetings, presentations, negotiating and business writing.” In Atlanta, Workplace Learning Solutions offer a similar set of modules that are designed to help business professionals all over the world.
