The Importance of English for Global Communicators
English is not the most spoken language in the world; it is spoken as a first language by around 400 million people worldwide, which makes it the third most widely spoken language in the world after Chinese and Spanish. It is recognized as an official language in 67 independent and 27 autonomous countries around the world.
But that’s not all, it is also the most common second language in the world and is widely spoken and taught in over 118 countries and is commonly used around the world as a trade language or diplomatic language. It is the language of science and technology, aviation, computers, diplomacy commerce, art, formal education and tourism. Last but not least, it is the language of international communication, business, the media and the internet.
One of the main reasons English is a global language today and is spoken by almost 2 billion people all over the world is the British Empire. By the late 18th century, after nearly a quarter of the world was colonized by the British Empire, the spread of English naturally started around the world. The second, less major push was after WW2, when American companies were booming and began to trade all over the world, which cemented the use of English as a global trade language. It was also heavily exported through American culture, music, and Hollywood movies and influenced the culture of countries all over the world, making English a common language for the masses.
While English may not be the native language of many people across the world, it is universally accepted as the lingua franca for international commerce. Businesses must communicate efficiently, and English provides a common platform for global communication that allows for seamless operations.
English is the Language of Business
The world is an interconnected global hub, no matter which corner of the world you operate from; no business is geographically restricted. Workplaces have employees from all ethnicities, and work cultures have also facilitated employees working from different cities as well. According to an international survey by Cambridge University on a global analysis of language skills in the workplace, English language skills are essential for over 95% of employers in many countries where English is not an official language.
It can cross international borders and transcend language compatibility barriers that have made English the most sought-after language in today’s corporate world. The proficiency of the language has also made it a vital part of success in the highly competitive corporate world. Many reputed organisations around the world rely on English as a means of communication in everything from emails to corporate documentation to even popular and well-read business resources, both in print and over electronic media. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, plays a critical role in many aspects of corporate life, from securing employment to communicating with clientele and achieving cohesive business partnerships all over the world.
Language is an important component of leadership. In our globalized economy, we’re still facing the same challenges that we faced decades ago as far as the language barrier is concerned. But in reality, technology has helped us find different ways of solving this problem. These developments still have some way to go before becoming mainstream, so we still need to work on actually learning the language.
Better Communication Skills Mean Better Leadership
In leadership, language is used to make decisions, resolve conflicts, implement practices, measure results, and share innovations and creative ideas with others. As with any other skill, leadership skills require learning, developing, and practising. A leader’s ability to impact their local area and other countries relies on their ability to communicate clearly. In essence, languages are management tools that global leaders have at their disposal.
Learning English is an investment in your career and can significantly benefit global leadership skills. Multilingual leaders are increasingly valued and highly sought after, as recruiters and industry leaders consider them to be better equipped to handle global business relationships and international teams. Statistically, multilingualism leads to higher earnings, promotion as well as a wider choice of work.
English proficiency is an essential component for leadership and for influencing the world. Leadership skills magnify with good language skills. English proficiency is an indispensable tool for communicating with the world around us.
The fastest-spreading language in human history, English is spoken by nearly 2 billion people worldwide. If working effectively in an international environment is your goal, improving your English is a must. Ready or not, English is the global language of business. More and more multinational companies require English speaking leaders in order to facilitate communication and performance across geographically diverse functions and business endeavours.
