English has become, undeniably and indisputably, the language of the modern world. Spoken at a native level by hundreds of millions of people around the world and at varying levels of proficiency by billions more, it’s been variously described as a universal tongue, the world’s preeminent second language, and ‘hypercentral’ – as in bringing together the global language system.
It’s little wonder then that proficiency in the language is regarded as an indispensable part of one’s professional skill set, capable of enhancing employability and unlocking a world of career growth opportunities, as well as paving the way for personal growth.
Millions of people across Asia now recognise this fact and are taking the plunge to learn the language and fulfil their aim to become global citizens. To that end, we created an in-depth guide with the goal of providing learners with all the insights and tools they need packaged up in one resource (and it’s free!)
We spoke to experts and educators from across Asia – Kayo Taguchi (ELT Portfolio Manager, Pearson Asia); Jarrad Merlo (Co-founder, E2 Language); Lorraine Loquisan (Chief Operations Officer, Enrich); Monette Fetalvero (Manager, Career Consultants Network and BADA Education Philippines) – who share their vast experience and deep insights to help students, such as yourself, learn English with a purpose. Download your free copy today.
Welcome to episode 13 of the Art of Learning podcast.
We're joined by Dr Tran Huong Quynh, Head of the English Linguistics Division (Faculty of English) at the Hanoi National University of Education, to discuss the various nuances of English, its impact on professional growth and the resources available to learners striving to master the language.
We kick off by dissecting how the world of English language learning is changing (2:06), the nuances of business English, academic English and real-world English (6:06), what type of English learners should be prioritising (9:31), learning idioms and how learners can use them to their advantage (12:29), plus more.
Exploring English language learning possibilities, and where it can take learners both personally and professionally, and the added benefits of learning the world’s language — hint: it’s healthy for your brain. Read more.
You might have heard of English being referred to as a lingua franca, which is a fancy way of saying that English is becoming the world’s language of communication among non-native speakers.
This is because it’s estimated that almost 2 billion people speak English across the globe, making English the largest language by number of speakers, and the third largest language by number of native speakers. By many standards, English has become referred to as the world’s language.
Given the fast-changing expectations of today’s employers, the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures, borders and languages is a non-negotiable skill — this is where English language skills are key.
Simon Young, Pearson Asia’s BTEC Portfolio Manager, says now that supply chains and customer bases are global, multinationals have identified English language proficiency as a requirement, not a nice-to-have skill.
“It seems that English has become a key skill for communicating in business in any role. So, in countries such as [those in Southeast Asia] where you might see a strong local workforce, the interaction with other divisions does require a strong ability to communicate in English. English has become the global communication medium.”
While English helps to enhance your career possibilities and professional growth, being multilingual makes you a sharper learner — the cognitive benefits of being proficient in another language is healthy for your brain.
And for English language learners specifically, experts say that multilingual learners score higher on standardised tests, which is likely due to learning different grammatical rules and vocabulary, as well as the ability to focus on relevant information while paying less attention to the details that hold less value.
When learning English coupled with another subject, it’s a far more effective way to learn a language. The two-for-one approach adds context to what you’re learning and encourages the development of workforce skills. For Dr Tran Huong Quynh, Head of English Linguistics Division, Faculty of English at Hanoi National University of Education, English is now considered a tool to open the door of knowledge for today’s learners.
“It’s learning [that matters], and students want to learn something that is useful for them, instead of just purely focusing on English itself. For example, students can learn English and science, English and geography, or even English and learning how to present or other skills relevant in the 21st century.
“You should learn English in context, and you need to be exposed to the language every day, whether in a professional or task-based context, or daily life conversations with a clear purpose of learning. So, learners should have a chance to learn the English that people are using in the real situation, not just the language based on the textbook,” she says.
Learners should identify why they want to learn English to ensure their goals are set correctly and that their focus is in the right area. Dr Quynh notes that to build English proficiency, learners must understand the differences between general, academic and business English, and then approach their learning patterns accordingly.
“For me, building proficiency should be to refer to all three areas, so that means academic English, business English or real-world English. Each of them focuses on one aspect of English that language learners need to use English appropriately in different settings. So, academic English is the type of English you need in the world of research, study, and teaching.
“For business English, learners can use English in a professional setting and the ability to communicate at work. For example, the ability to write emails, to understand them, and to respond to them using appropriate language, they should have the ability to deliver presentations or participate in business meetings in English,” she says.
For Quynh, the value in learning English lies in having an understanding and a level of proficiency in all three English variations to get the most out of their learning journey. She says that to truly unlock professional and personal potential, learners should strive to have the ability to communicate across all variations of everyday life settings.
“We’re all familiar with real-world English – it is the ability to communicate in general and in society. So, learners should have the ability to communicate confidently for everyday life in English, wherever they are — for example, at home or at work, traveling or socialising in everyday situations.
“To unlock the career opportunities and enhance employability, I think learners should know what kind of English they need by looking at what they really want to use English for -- do they need English for their job or for socialising and communicating outside of work?” she says.
With the ever-increasing importance of English as a global language, the governments of Vietnam and Thailand have policies in place to boost the English language proficiency of their populations.
And as the Thai and Vietnamese populations embark on their English language learning journey, they will inevitably encounter the checkpoint of needing to test and prove their English skills to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Enter the Pearson Test of English, otherwise known as PTE.
It’s a globally recognised, computer-based English language test that measures language ability – it is the fastest and most reliable way of proving English language proficiency.
Launched in 2009, PTE was created in response to the demand for a more accurate, objective, secure and relevant test of English skill. PTE is accepted by academic institutions and governments across the globe and is the market-leading high stakes English test.
PTE stands out in the market due to its speed, flexibility, fairness and accuracy – being a computer-based test, PTE eliminates the biases of human scoring and ensures that marking is devoid of human error.
Students who want to study or migrate abroad are required to demonstrate their English skills, and like any tests your students may take, it requires adequate preparation. Students are exposed to excerpts from lectures, graphs and charts, and will hear a vast range of accents in the test, which reflects exposure to the types of accents encountered in everyday life.
