1. You can find more job opportunities
“Many large companies around the world require that their employees speak English. In some cases, these companies are requiring their workers to only use English.

“As the world becomes more global (better connected), it is only natural that big businesses will want and need to communicate more. Right now, everyone is trying to learn and communicate with English. English is becoming the common language that people from different countries and cultures can use to communicate with one another.

“For example, imagine that a businessperson from Israel, who speaks English and Hebrew, wants to do business with a someone from South Africa, who speaks English and Afrikaans. Even though they both started learning English as a second language in elementary school, they can use English to communicate with each other!

“As Rakuten’s CEO Hiroshi Mikitani told CNN, “if you want to become successful in other countries, you need to internationalize your headquarters.” Because people from around the world know English and use it to communicate with everyone else, it is important that employees also know English. English is an important part of this process of becoming more internationalized.

“You do not just need English to work at American, Australian and British companies. In my own experience as an English professor in Korea, many students have come to me asking for help with required English interviews at Samsung, LG, and other large Korean companies.

“By learning English, you can be well-prepared for interviews with any large, international companies. And, luckily, there are plenty of resources out there to help you practice for your English interview.

“Not to mention, English is great for careers with travel, tourism, and hospitality.

2. You can become better educated
“Not only does knowing a foreign language expand your brain power, but you can use your knowledge of English to learn more and more things about the world.

“These days it is relatively easy to take an English class. Whether you take this class online, on Skype or in the classroom, there are many options out there.

“But here is a new idea for you: Have you ever considered trying to take a class about a specific subject in English?

“Imagine all of the things you could learn by taking an American history class from an American, a math class from an Australian or an English literature class from a British teacher?

“This kind of class, taught completely in English, will let you learn about culture, intonation, body language, vocabulary and slang while also learning about an interesting subject like history, math or anything else that you personally love to study!

“Furthermore, there are many great works of literature, science, history and social science that were written in English first. Do not lose anything by trying to read a translation. Instead, you will come closer to the heart (the main idea) of what the writer is trying to say by reading the original writing in English.

3. You can easily travel anywhere in the world
“I am a native English speaker and I have traveled to many places in the world. Communication has almost never been a problem for me because people all around the world speak English. I have been able to speak English in every country I have visited. While learning a few words in the local language is always a good idea—it is polite and shows respect—English will help you with the details of travel.

“In many places where you will travel, people find English important for their businesses. They need to know English in order to communicate with potential clients and customers. In most hotels, at least one employee will speak English—often, many of the employees speak English. This makes it easier for customers to get what they need and spend their money.

“Even people in small town markets around the world know how to bargain with English speakers.

“You will find that some of your best interactions will be with people on the streets who are trying to sell you something or who are looking to improve their English speaking skills. English will bridge the communication gap on your travels and make traveling a breeze.

4. You will know the global language
“It is a historical fact that the economic power wielded by Great Britain and America over the last few centuries has resulted in English being so widespread today.

“This has taken a long time, and many good things and bad things have happened in the process. English spread through war, trade, slavery and religious missionaries. History is complicated and it is not always pleasant, but today we can recognize that English is being spoken everywhere in the world.

“We cannot change what happened in the past. However, we can use English as a positive power! We can use it to bring the world together, to communicate with people from foreign countries and to understand each other better.

“Not only will it make traveling easier, but English will also allow you to know more about global trends, culture, and social issues. It will give you a deeper understanding of people’s different perspectives on life.

“You will be able to communicate with people who do not speak your native language, and you will be able to consume thousands of more news sources, blogs, books, and songs.

“Knowing English will let you be part of a global conversation!

5. You will learn about culture
“Language and culture cannot be separated. Language is culture, and culture is language. Simply said, knowing English will give you a better understanding of people who live in English-speaking countries. Knowing the English language gives you more insight into how people think, live and work.

“If you do not know about the culture of English-speaking countries, this might lead to misunderstanding what people are saying in English.

“It is not enough to just know basic words and phrases. To communicate well in English, you must know about things like tone, body language, and facial expressions. You might think an English speaker is being crass, rude or dismissive when they are not!

“If you understand which words or expressions are acceptable and unacceptable in English-speaking cultures, this might save you from a cultural misunderstanding with your English-speaking friends and coworkers.