The development of communication technology, particularly the internet, has allowed for previously isolated communities to interact with one another. This has resulted in an increased desire to pick up English, the de facto lingua franca of the internet. For many people around the world, English is not their native language. However, with the increased proliferation of English language pop culture, the desire to learn English as a second language is burgeoning.
Seeing as English is a common language for countries who do not have a similar native language, it allows one to communicate with people from all around the world. This would help one to expand one’s social circle to outside of your own country. This will also allow people to enjoy pop culture, such as television shows and films, that they may not have been able to if they are not translated into their native language. This allows one to be immersed in other cultures, helping them understand different perspectives and opinions.
Learning English opens new doors to opportunities. Not only is English used in many corners of the internet, it is also the language used in business around the world. By picking up English, one is able to access opportunities previously unavailable to them. This allows them to obtain knowledge only available in English, or to make it easier to migrate to English-speaking countries. Travel is also easier with English, with many people around the world being able to speak it to some degree.
With English-speaking countries such as the United States still being centres of commerce, picking up English is a good way to open up career opportunities. This, coupled with the fact that business between companies from different countries is usually conducted in English, further emphasises the importance of English should one wish to conduct business internationally. Therefore, picking up English would be beneficial when finding a job, especially if it requires one to communicate with people from other countries.
Studies have also shown that learning another language could help delay cognitive decline as one ages, pushing back the onset of dementia. It is believed that bilingualism helps to increase one’s cognitive reserve, helping to prevent the early onset of mental decline.
To build your foundation in English, you can start with the Learn and Master Grammar series from Singapore Children’s Publishing House (SCPH). Through the use of these titles, readers can understand the various linguistic features of English and reinforce their newfound knowledge with specialised exercises targeting specific grammar rules, ensuring that they become proficient users of English.