Why should I learn English?

teenage boy studying with headphones on and with a laptop

English is the second most widely spoken language – it is estimated that nearly two billion people worldwide can speak English at a useful level. That means they can hold a conversation with other English-speaking people.

A report by the attests the importance of the English language to the world, and says thatsecond-language English speakers far outnumber fluent English speakers. It also recognizes how being able to speak English can give individuals a competitive edge over others. If you're asking the question, "Why should I learn English?", read on to find out more...

Why should I learn English?
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Gaining a competitive edge can be particularly appealingfor people seeking new jobs or looking to advance in their careers. Because of the number of English speakers in the world, many international companies choose English as their language for business use.

Well-known companies such as Renault, Samsung and Airbus are using English in the workplace and it’s not a moment too soon. Using the language is helping them to facilitate communication and make their businesses more efficient.

In emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam, or low-income countries striving to climb the ladder of economic development, it is the urgent priority of governments and non-government organizations to ensure that the surging population of global youth has economic opportunities and upward mobility.

The idea of learning English has widely been accepted as best practice and programs are in place to facilitate this, such as the in India. Students sit in state-of-the-art computer labs to learn how to master the English language. They listen to a voice with an Indian accent read from their textbook, and every spoken word is displayed on a large screen.

There are many other reasons why studying English today is a smart choice. Because the language is understood in many parts of the world, being able to speak English can give travelers confidence and help them integrate into the culture.

Imagine visiting The Shard in London, or the Chrysler Building in New York and being able to find out more about these impressive structures in the native language. Interacting with the locals in their native language – or a language that is common to both speakers – provides learners with interesting experiences, while the satisfaction of the accomplishment boosts motivation for further learning.

As well as learning the language for pleasant conversations, there are more benefits than just experiencing a confidence boost. Medical research has shown that there are several to learning another language, and these include:

  • Being a better listener: Being bilingual requires your brain to discern between two sets of very distinctive sounds and to identify them accurately.
  • Being less distracted: Speaking in a foreign tongue requires the active suppression of the other language(s) that one knows, shown to better inhibit overall distractions.
  • Becoming a better multitasker: For someone who knows multiple languages, it’s a common occurrence to switch rapidly between tongues, effectively an exercise in quickly and efficiently switching between different tasks.
  • Better ability to problem-solve and be creative: Speaking in a foreign language inevitably requires creativity when faced with unfamiliar words or phrases in order to communicate effectively. Studies have shown that bilinguals have an advantage in overall problem-solving and creativity.

There are also health benefits associated with mastering English. found that those who spoke two or more languages had significantly better cognitive abilities in later life and had effectively slowed the brain’s aging process, with the potential to even delay the onset of dementia. The same researchers found that bilingual people are twice as likely to recover from a stroke than those who speak just one language. Dr Thomas Bak, one of the researchers, said that switching languages “offers practically constant brain training, which may be a factor in helping stroke patients recover”.

, a professor of psychology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, found that people who speak two or more languages seem to weather the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease better compared to people who have only mastered one language. Alzheimer’s is a progressive mental deterioration (dementia) that can begin in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain.

We looked into this more closely in our blog post, How being bilingual can keep your brain in good condition, and were pleased to say that the theory that being bilingual can be a buffer against aging and dementia is backed up by a further study conducted by a team led by Professor Ana Inés Ansaldo at the University of Montréal. The results suggested bilingual people have stronger and more efficient brains compared to those who only speak one language.

More blogs from app

  • Children engaged in a classroom activity, with colorful educational posters and a banner in the background.

    How to use flipped learning to support your learners

    By
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    What is flipped learning?

    To understand better what flipped learning is, first let’s see how it differs from blended learning, a term with which it is often confused.

    Blended learning is a way of teaching that combines face-to-face classroom teaching with online resources. We freely use online resources to create a more personalized learning experience.

    Flipped learning is a little different. As the name suggests, it "flips" a traditional lesson. It tells us exactly which stages of the lesson should go online. In a flipped learning class, all of the more traditional aspects (also called "study stages"), are completed online and the homework (also called "application stages") comes into the classroom.

    Let’s look at an example.

    A typical receptive skills lesson normally has six stages:

    1. Lead in
    2. Set context
    3. Pre-teach vocabulary
    4. Gist task
    5. Detailed task
    6. Follow up

    With a traditional teaching model, we do the first five stages in class and set the last one for homework. With flipped learning there are a few ways to tackle these stages, but a basic model would look like this:

  • Precision teaching with AI: Aligning GSE objectives with generative AI for targeted materials

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    English teachers today face increasing demands: create engaging content, differentiate instruction and address diverse learner needs – all within a limited time. The rise of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, offers a promising solution. But without proper guidance, AI-generated content can lack educational value. This blog post introduces a practical, research-informed approach to using AI tools aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE). You will learn how this framework helps educators design accurate, personalized and level-appropriate English teaching materials quickly and confidently.

    Why GSE and AI are a game-changing combination for ELT

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) is a CEFR-aligned framework developed by app, offering detailed "can-do" learning objectives. It includes nearly 4,000 descriptors across speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, offering more precision than traditional level labels like A2 or B1. At the same time, Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can generate entire lessons, tasks and assessments in seconds. The challenge lies in ensuring this content is aligned with clear pedagogical outcomes.

    Pairing AI’s creative speed with the GSE’s structured outcomes offers a scalable way to meet learner needs without compromising instructional quality.

    Unlocking measurable, differentiated and efficient teaching with GSE and AI

    The GSE makes objectives measurable

    Unlike generic teaching goals, GSE objectives are specific and measurable. For example, a B1-level learner objective might state:

    “Can identify a simple chronological sequence in a recorded narrative or dialogue.” (GSE 43)
    This clarity helps teachers define outcomes and ensure each AI-generated task targets an actual language skill, not just generic content.

    Generative AI enhances productivity

    Teachers using Generative AI can create draft lesson materials in minutes. By inputing a structured prompt such as:

    “Create a B1 reading activity that helps learners summarize the main points of a short article.”
    ChatGPT can instantly generate content that meets the learning goal. When guided by the GSE, AI becomes a collaborative assistant as well as a time-saver.

    The GSE + AI combination supports differentiation

    Because the GSE includes descriptors across a wide proficiency range (from pre-A1 to C2), teachers can tailor AI-generated content to meet the exact needs of their students. Mixed-level classrooms or tutoring contexts benefit especially from this, as teachers can create multiple versions of a task with consistent scaffolding.

    Practical tips

    • Use the GSE Teacher Toolkit to select objectives based on skill, level or function.
    • When prompting ChatGPT, include the GSE descriptor in your input for more precise results.
    • Always review and adapt the AI output to match your learners’ context, culture and curriculum.
    • Create a prompt library mapped to GSE codes to save time in future planning.

    A step-by-step example of the GSE and AI in action

    Here is a typical application of the workflow:

    1. A teacher selects a GSE objective, such as:
      “Can write a basic formal email/letter requesting information.” (GSE 46).
    2. Within seconds, a sample formal email, accompanied by a short reading comprehension task and a vocabulary activity, is generated.
    3. The reading task serves as a model to help learners analyze the structure, tone, and key language features of a well-written email before attempting their own.
    4. The teacher then reviews and refines the output for clarity, appropriateness, and context relevance.

    This process supports targeted teaching while significantly reducing preparation time.

    Overcoming challenges: Ensuring quality and relevance

    Challenge: AI outputs may lack cultural context, level appropriateness or instructional clarity.
    Solution: Always pair AI with professional judgment. Use the GSE to check that skills match the intended outcome, and adjust the complexity of the language as needed.

    Challenge: Teachers may be unfamiliar with how to write effective AI prompts.
    Solution: Start simple with templates like:

    “Create a [skill] activity at [level] that supports this GSE objective: [insert objective].”

    Challenge: Risk of over-relying on AI for instruction.
    Solution: Use AI as a starting point, not the final product. Combine AI-generated content with classroom interaction, feedback and your own creativity.

    Teaching tools that make this easier

    • : for exploring and selecting level-appropriate learning objectives
    • : for generating customizable teaching content
    • GSE Smart Lesson Generator: an AI-powered lesson creation tool developed by app that uses the GSE framework to automatically generate high-quality activities and lesson plans
    • Google Docs or Word: for editing and organizing your materials before class

    Confidently transforming English teaching

    Combining Generative AI with the Global Scale of English allows teachers to design materials that are both fast and focused. The GSE provides the structure; AI provides the speed. Together, they offer a sustainable solution for personalized English instruction that respects both learner needs and instructional quality.

  • Teacher and young students engaging in a classroom activity, surrounded by colorful art supplies and educational materials.

    Back-to-school challenges that teachers face – and how to solve them

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    A new school year brings excitement and opportunity. It also presents challenges for teachers, regardless of their level of experience. Here are common problems that teachers face and simple tips to help you start the year with confidence.

    1. How do I establish effective classroom management and routines?

    The challenge:
    A new year means a new group of students, each with unique personalities and expectations. Setting clear routines and managing classroom behavior can be daunting, especially when students test boundaries or struggle to adjust.

    The solution:
    Set the tone early by communicating clear expectations for behavior, participation and respect. Use visual aids and consistent language to reinforce routines. Involve students in rule-setting to foster ownership and accountability. Consistency and patience are key; routines may take time to solidify, but your commitment will pay off.

    2. How can I build strong relationships with my students?

    The challenge:
    Connecting with a diverse group of learners – some of whom might be eager, while others might be more reserved – can be challenging. Building trust and rapport is essential for engagement and academic success, but it doesn’t happen overnight.

    The solution:
    Dedicate time to getting to know your students as individuals. Use icebreakers, interest surveys and daily check-ins to show you care about their lives beyond academics. Incorporate culturally-responsive teaching practices to respect students’ backgrounds and experiences. Even small gestures, such as greeting students by name and celebrating their achievements, can make a big difference.