10 Reasons to Learn English

Although many of your students may already recognize the benefits of knowing English, some
may still be on the fence and question the necessity of what you're trying to teach them. And
when bogged down in new words or struggling with grammar, it's more likely they'll begin to
wonder if it will all be worth it in the end. Yet there are many reasons millions of people study
English every year. Use this list to help motivate your students and remind them why the task
they're undertaking is worthwhile.

1. Around 1.5 billion people in the world speak English.

With around 7.6 billion people living in the world, 1.5 billion may seem like a small number, but
it's still around 1/5 of the population. And given that there are over 6,500 known languages in the
world, the fact that 1.5 billion people speak one language is a pretty big deal. The other
commonly spoken language is Mandarin, but you're less likely to find people who know
Mandarin outside of China whereas you'll find English speakers all over the world.

2. English is the official language in over 50 countries

Over 50 countries list English as their official language or the official language of higher
instruction. These include countries in Europe, Africa, Central America, North America, and
Asia. So if you head to Singapore, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, or New Zealand, you'll likely find people
speaking some form of English.

3. Many industries rely on English.

Want to work in the tourism industry or explore a career in aviation? You'll need to know
English. Diplomatic and scientific communities use English as their official language as well.
Knowing English will make it easier to communicate with others in the field, find employment,
and understand key terms and reference materials.

4. English is the language of the Internet.

Although you may be able to find websites in your own language, many international websites
are created primarily in English. This includes forums and discussion boards. It's much easier to
find information and communicate with others online if you know one of the most common
languages on Earth.

5. Movies, television, and other forms of media love English.

Sometimes English speakers watch movies with subtitles, but more often than not, non-English
speakers are the ones experiencing blockbuster hits with subtitles in their own language. If you
want to watch the latest big movies in America or understand the lyrics to Beyonce's latest hits, it
helps to know English.

6. English can help you get a job.

In the business world, knowing English is key and many international companies require that
higher level employees speak the language. Knowing English could help you get a promotion or
get you in a better company which may also lead to better pay and benefits.

7. There are a wealth of programs and resources to help.

Because English is so popular, it's easy to find books, videos, tutors, teachers, and even whole
schools dedicated to learning the English language. Many of these are available for free too.

8. Learning another language makes you smarter.

Studies have shown that people who learn a second language make critical brain connections and
improve their overall cognitive ability. It takes a lot of effort to think in more than one language
and if you're able to put together the pieces to speak English efficiently, you're doing a great
service for your brain.

9. English is actual a fairly simple language.

When you're deep in the process, English may seem like the most complicated language on
Earth, but compared to many languages, it's actually pretty simple. The language itself is based
on a simple 26-letter alphabet and you don't have to remember if words are masculine or
feminine. There are fewer accents on letters to change their pronunciation. Of course, there are
still idioms and complex construction in sentences that can make things challenging, but at the
basic level, it's easier to pick up a beginning knowledge of English than some other languages.

10. Whatever personal reason you have, it's important.

Aside from the reasons above, it can help to motivate students by having them choose their own
reasons for learning English. Challenge your students to make a list of 5-10 reasons why they
want to learn English and remind them of the items on their lists when they feel like giving up or
start to slack off in class.