Use the English language to your advantage in business
Akshat Biyani
June 1, 2023
5 min
Whether it be international diplomacy, cross-border trade and commerce, or business in general, English has been a language of global communication for centuries. It is fundamental to communicating with people of other cultures and nationalities.
Today, the size of the English-speaking population worldwide has grown to nearly 1.35 billion people, which is 17% of the total world population. This has led to English being the preferred language of international business. As a result, it is the lingua franca (common language) in most national capitals, seats of power, and centers of trade across the world. To put this into perspective, around 75 countries worldwide recognize English as their official language, either by law or in practice.
Whatever sphere of business you work in, communicating confidently and effectively in English is one of the most important skills you need to succeed. From writing business emails, drafting reports, and communicating with colleagues and clients to participating in business meetings and negotiations, there is virtually no aspect of business that doesn’t need you to be fluent in English.
In this article, we look at why speaking English fluently is important in business and how it could help you achieve your career goals.
Why is English important in business?
English isn’t just important to communicate effectively with others in business. It can also expose you to different cultural, historical, and industry-related ideas that you could use to your advantage. Let’s look at some such reasons that make English important in business.
English exposes you to the cultures of the several countries where it is spoken. Understanding different cultures is key to developing interpersonal skills and good professional relationships with colleagues.
Authoritative industry-related news, journals, magazines, and books are most widely published in the English language.
English is the language of mainstream culture. Most major films, music, books, television shows, and graphic novels are produced in English. If you want to keep up to speed with developments in any of these spheres, you need to be a good English speaker.
6 benefits of using English in your workplace
Here are some of the biggest benefits you can expect to achieve in your career if you are fluent in English.
Helps you communicate better with colleagues
Imagine delivering a presentation at work or speaking in front of your colleagues without knowing how to speak in English. Not many would be able to understand you if you did either of those in your native language, and your hard work would likely go to waste. That is what makes it important for you to be able to communicate freely in the global language - English!
Without English, communicating effectively in any workplace can be quite challenging. No matter where you’re based, interacting with your counterparts and clients can be challenging without being fluent in English. More often than not, this language gap can lead to miscommunications, misunderstandings, and mistakes that could put your job at risk. To avoid this, you should invest time and energy in learning English so that you can articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly.
Enables you to expand your network
Networking is an important part of the business world. Meeting new people, sharing ideas with them, and making mutually beneficial connections are key to both individual and business success. However, you are hardly likely to be able to network when you aren’t proficient in English.
If you are living in an English speaking country or working in a multinational company, most professional networking happens in English. In order to expand your network, meet new people, and explore exciting career opportunities through such connections, you need to be adequately skilled in English. Whether you use social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to find like-minded people or attend in-person networking events, English proficiency is often the first requirement to have meaningful conversations and make a good impression.
Helps you communicate with international clients
Many big businesses now operate in international markets and work with clients scattered across different parts of the globe. Given that English is the link language of international communication, both for business and in general, you are expected to have a good grasp of it. Whether you are meeting someone in person, connecting with them over the phone, or attending virtual meetings, being comfortable in English will help you hold conversations and allow you to develop solid professional relationships with international clients. Your ability to communicate in English will enable you to move up the corporate ladder faster and open doors that would have otherwise remained shut.
Allows you to pursue global opportunities
Proficiency in the English language will allow you to consider global opportunities. From moving to an English-speaking country to working for multinational companies that have clients across the globe, you will be in a much better place to do it all when you’re a good English speaker. When you have good English communication skills, you will be able to expand your professional and career horizons.
Familiarizes you with industry jargon and news
Since most industry news and business research is published or broadcast in English, knowing the language is fundamental to staying up to date with the latest market developments and trends. Reading business-related magazines and literature will help you become familiar with the jargon and expressions that identify different business sectors and industries. This can help you build an image for yourself as a well-read and conversant business person, someone who is always keyed into the latest developments in their area of operation.
Enables you to express yourself better
The biggest benefit of English fluency is that it enables you to put across complex thoughts and ideas in a way that is relevant and relatable. The power of accurate articulation is significant because it impacts almost every aspect of your job. Being able to convey your ideas and thoughts clearly to team members and managers is essential to building authority and advancing your career faster. Besides, English proficiency will also help you develop friendships and good working relationships with others in your workplace.
Learn Business English with Immigo
If you’re keen to master the English language, we at Immigo are at your service! We help non-native speakers become fluent in English. You can take our English classes designed to help you sound more confident and natural, to give your English education an extra boost.
Learning English with Immigo will give you the confidence to use phrases, idioms, proverbs, pop culture references, and common colloquialisms naturally.