Why is English important? What goals do our students pursue?

The goal in learning English plays a decisive role. It is she who makes us carry out free time alone with the educational material, and not in a noisy company of friends. And if the goal also has a time frame, we can work wonders and master huge amounts of information in the shortest possible time.

IN at the moment More than 1,100 students study at the Inglex online school. All these people came to us not out of idle curiosity, but with a specific purpose. We decided to find out from our students why we need to teach English language. To do this, we conducted a study and found out what most often motivates people when they apply to an English language school. We will also tell you which course of study is best suited to achieve each goal.

How we assessed students' goals

Let's start with a story about who our clients are. 87% of our students are adults aged 18 to 70 years. The remaining 13% are schoolchildren and university students, the latter being the smallest group. Most students have elementary and intermediate levels of knowledge and study in general conversation course. 77% study English with a Russian-speaking teacher, the remaining 23% with native English speakers.

In our school, English-speaking teachers teach students who have already reached the intermediate level (and above) and continue to improve their knowledge. We assumed that the goals of students at lower and higher levels would be different, so we decided to separately consider the goals of language learning for students of Russian-speaking teachers and students of native-speaking teachers. We asked all of our teachers to clarify the learning goals of each student and analyzed the data obtained. As a result, we were able to identify 8 groups of goals that correspond to the courses offered by our school.

What goals do our students pursue?

The most popular goals for our students were “English for work”, “English for travel” and “English for yourself”. We decided to display the data obtained during the survey in a convenient proprietary diagram.

1. English for work

Learning English for work was the most common goal among students. Students driven by this goal fall into two main categories: those already working in a position that requires good English skills, and those who want to improve their situation by obtaining a new position or changing jobs. Let's list the most popular goals for each group.

1. Those who improve their knowledge for current work learn English with the aim of:
   • communicate with English-speaking partners;
   • communicate freely on business trips;
   • lead business correspondence with partners or clients;
   • conduct presentations in English;
   • read professional English-language literature;
   • attend international conferences and trainings.

It is these people who most often choose, since its program fully meets all of the listed goals. At higher levels of knowledge, students working in international companies prefer classes with native speakers, which allows them to quickly prepare for communication in real working conditions.

2. For those who are counting on career advancement or want to get a more promising position in another company, it is important:
   • be able to write a cover letter;
   • be able to indicate your level of English proficiency on your resume;
   • learn to take interviews in English;
   • raise the general level of knowledge, since companies often require passing internal test to obtain a higher paying position.

If the goal of a student from this group is not urgent, that is, at this stage he is satisfied with his job, but in the future he would like to apply for a more interesting position, he almost always chooses. This is a comprehensive course that allows you to move from level to level, developing all speech skills (speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing), and also expands your vocabulary and improves your knowledge of grammar.

In case a student urgently needs to prepare for an interview or internal company testing in English, we provide, including the “Interview Preparation” course. In this case, the teacher will prepare the material directly to the needs of the student, taking into account his strengths and weaknesses. In an interview preparation course, the teacher discusses popular interviewer questions with the student and helps them come up with appropriate answers, as well as role-playing a real interview situation with the student.

In general, we can say that English for work is the most powerful motivator, because in in this case A person’s well-being and self-realization depend on the level of knowledge of the English language. The prospect of career growth is why you need to learn English.

2. English for travel

Another popular goal for our students is English for travel. The higher the level of knowledge, the wider the list of opportunities for using English abroad becomes. Thus, the majority of students studying with Russian-speaking teachers have a lower level, and for them, English for travel rather involves solving organizational issues during the trip (, shopping center, restaurant). But those who work with native speakers are those who want not only to see another country, but also to learn more about it from local residents. These students want to be able to carry on a conversation and make foreign friends.

English for travel abroad is the second most popular goal among students of Russian-speaking teachers and third among students of native speakers. We believe this is due to the fact that at higher levels, communication abroad is no longer a problem and other, more interesting tasks come to the fore.

The course "English for Travel" is studied within the framework of. Immediately before the trip, the teacher concentrates on those topics that will help you feel confident in a foreign language environment.

3. English “for yourself”

• communication with relatives who study or live abroad (this goal is often pursued by people over 40, whose children and grandchildren live in the UK and the USA);
• communication with foreign friends;
• desire to put into practice the knowledge gained through self-study language;
• watching films and reading books in English;
• memory training;
• assistance in learning English for your children or grandchildren.

In addition, for many students, learning English is a favorite hobby or a way to fill their free time. This is especially true for mothers on maternity leave and older people.

Students with the listed goals are engaged at all levels.

Summing up the results of the study, we were pleasantly surprised that the goal “for oneself” is more popular among native speaker students. The fact is that, having reached a higher level of knowledge, students are likely to have already completed the goals for which they began to learn English. But they liked the learning process so much that they decided to continue working on their knowledge. We believe that the goal of learning English “for oneself” in itself is not a strong motivator, but when it is added to the desire not to lose the results achieved and to further expand one’s knowledge, its existence becomes justified.

4. English for school and university studies

Goals from this group are in fourth place in popularity both among students of Russian-speaking teachers and among students of native speakers. Parents are often wary of sending their children to English courses via Skype. However, at the moment we have 198 schoolchildren and students studying with us. They have three main goals:

• improve knowledge within the school/university program, improve academic performance;
• pass exams or tests well;
• increase the level of knowledge, study topics that go beyond the curriculum.

We should also highlight students of language universities who consider the level of teaching at their university not high enough and turn to us for training in a more intensive and complex program.

The listed goals are achieved when studying on the course "". If a schoolchild or student urgently needs to prepare for an exam, the teacher is ready to develop an individual program, in which case the course will be considered. Also, schoolchildren and students often ask for help with grammar, and in this case the “” course is suitable for them.

5. English for moving or living abroad

It turned out that such an important goal of learning English as moving abroad is not very popular among our students. Only 6% of students with Russian-speaking teachers and 2% of students with native speakers learn the language for emigration. Here is a list of specific goals combined in this group:

• desire to feel confident after moving;
• job search abroad;
• adaptation to conditions English speaking country, studying its culture.

Half of the students with these goals already live abroad, but continue to improve their knowledge with our teachers. They prefer to gain knowledge systematically rather than fragmentarily from conversations with local residents. Nevertheless, the opportunity to apply acquired knowledge in practice in a language environment allows you to speed up the learning process.

Interestingly, students pursuing these goals often turn to Russian-speaking teachers rather than native speakers. This suggests that when they move, their level is not yet high enough, but this does not stop them from trying to find themselves in a new place.

In our practice, there was a case when a student was planning to move to a specific US state and was looking for a native teacher who could not only help her “conversate”, but also prepare her for the cultural peculiarities of life in this place. We were glad to offer her just such a teacher.

All goals from this group are implemented within the framework of the “” course. If necessary, the teacher supplements the program with materials from the courses "" and "".

6. English to obtain a certificate

In terms of popularity among our students, international certificates are arranged in the following order: IELTS, CAE, TOEFL, FCE, CPE, KET, PET.

Obtaining the international certificate itself is rarely the ultimate goal of students. Most often, a certificate is necessary to realize other, more global ambitions. The result of the international exam is required to be presented in the following cases:

• upon admission to a foreign university;
• for employment in a large Russian or international company (both in a foreign branch and in a local office);
• when immigrating to English-speaking countries, as a document confirming that a person speaks English sufficiently;
• to confirm the level of knowledge - English teachers.

We also have students who have been studying English as a hobby for a long time, and therefore want to receive an international certificate “for themselves” or “for the future.” Any exam is a lot of stress, so such a desire deserves respect.

Students prepare for international exams with both Russian-speaking teachers and native speakers. The fact is that your success in the exam will largely depend not only on your actual level of knowledge, but also on the correct approach to completing tasks. Therefore, students often resort to the help of Russian-speaking teachers to practice successful tactics and improve grammar, and work with native speakers to improve their speaking skills and expand their vocabulary.

Students wishing to receive a certificate take the course "". This is a specialized course during which all the features of the exam are studied. If the student’s current level of knowledge is not enough to qualify for a high score, training begins with the “” course.

7. English for studying abroad

To enroll in a foreign university, you first need to be fluent in English. Unfortunately, very few students pursue this ambitious goal of learning English (only 3% of students with Russian-speaking teachers and 2% with native speakers). These people are not necessarily graduates or students of Russian educational institutions. Adults are also preparing to enter foreign faculties, graduate school or an MBA program.

The choice of course for this purpose depends on the timing of admission (“” or more intensive “”) and the need to present an international certificate upon admission (course “”).

8. Improving knowledge for working as an English teacher

As teachers, we couldn't help but highlight this goal separately, even though it could have been part of the English for Work goal. However, it is also very important for teachers to improve their knowledge, and we are glad that they are thinking about it. It is important to note that English teachers make up 4% of the students of native speakers and only 1% of the students of Russian-speaking teachers. These people see their goals as follows:

• increase your level of knowledge to work at higher levels of language proficiency;
• expand your vocabulary to work with students in more complex training programs;
• gain confidence in your knowledge to move from working with children to teaching adults;
• pass an international exam and qualify for higher pay for your work or get a job at a prestigious educational institution.

Any course that meets the specific needs of the instructor is suitable for this purpose.

What skills are students most concerned about?

What is most important for students in the learning process, what do they ask the teacher to pay more attention to during classes? In addition to the global goal, each student has wishes to concentrate more on one or another aspect of the language. Among the most popular requests, we highlighted the desire:

• pay maximum attention to practice oral speech, work on speech fluency, expand your vocabulary;
• learn to understand your interlocutor’s speech by ear, understand words in films and songs;
• understand English grammar, learn to speak and write correctly;
• improve pronunciation, remove Russian accent;
• learn words and expressions used in a specific field (business, information technology, aviation, law, etc.)
• develop business and academic writing skills.

Obviously, the most common goal is the development of oral speech. After all, the ability to not only quickly, but also correctly formulate your thoughts is the main result for which we learn a language.

Unusual goals for learning English

1. Family goals

   Many parents begin preparing their children for adulthood from the very beginning. early years, and sometimes even months. So, one of the students is studying English in order to immediately teach her recently born daughter.

   Our other student is 12 years old. She wants to become a singer and perform songs in English, so her mother asked us to work on the girl’s pronunciation.

   But the older student has a more trivial goal: his entire family, even his 5-year-old daughter, speaks English easily. In order to keep up with his family, the man also decided to learn English “for himself.”

2. Creative goals

   People whose work involves traveling abroad can best appreciate the convenience of classes via Skype. Among them there are many representatives of creative professions.

   For example, one of our students is a professional photographer. She travels the world and teaches photography courses and workshops for foreign students. It is clear why she is interested in learning English.

   We also have students who study acting. Their goal is to be able to go to courses and trainings abroad, and, if they are lucky, even get a role in a foreign film.

   There are also students who dream of starting to write novels and stories in English. And one of them plans to write a book for his son, who now lives in England.

3. Personal goals

   Everyone knows that studying foreign language Helps develop mental abilities and train memory. People who come to us with such a wish often begin to additionally learn a second foreign language at our school.

   Another goal of some students is also justified - to increase self-esteem. Indeed, the ability to speak, write, read or understand English speech can come in handy suddenly, and the way you present yourself will not only impress others, but will also help boost your self-confidence.

To summarize, we would like to say that having a clear goal guarantees success in learning English. You must clearly understand why you need to learn English. If you're just starting to study, we recommend setting a goal for yourself that is long-term enough for your efforts to pay off, but at the same time achievable so that you don't lose motivation halfway through. So what goal will you set for yourself?

I would change the title a little to “10 reasons to learn foreign languages,” but since English is everywhere and all over the world, we’ll probably stick to the original title.

Those who are already learning English, then after reading this article you just have to confirm your right choice. Those who are still undecided should definitely read it!

The main advantage of the English language is its versatility: you can speak it anywhere without fear of being misunderstood. After all, English has already become the most widespread world language, despite the different national characteristics of different peoples of the world.

And now the number of people interested in learning the language is only growing. However, despite this, even today there are many people who underestimate the importance of learning English.

They consider learning English just a fad and do not take into account the new opportunities that a person who speaks English receives.

Although learning any language enriches a person’s inner world and contributes to his personal growth, perhaps only English can boast of such effectiveness in cases of international communication. After all, it’s the only thing we can safely use on our trips abroad, regardless of the country of our stay.

Do you know English?

It is English that we will use in various everyday situations: whether it’s going to a restaurant or renting a hotel room. Having studied English, a person immediately improves his social status, increasing his chances of occupying a relevant position and future career growth.

Indeed, now, when trade activities are often international in nature, it is simply impossible to do without the English language. You shouldn't expect to learn English quickly when working abroad.

Time to learn English! Get started today!

As a rule, such passive learning proceeds rather slowly, but you will need knowledge of the language immediately, and your well-being and the well-being of your family will depend on it.

English can significantly improve your life. You will be able to make useful contacts on the Internet with people of any nationality, and you will be able to read the greatest works of English literature in the original. In addition, knowing another foreign language will complement your education and certainly won’t hurt.

If you're not yet sure whether you should learn English, read the following 10 reasons why you should:

1. Increased competitiveness. Whatever position you apply for, the application form will most likely include a point about knowledge of foreign languages. The plus sign in this column will always play in your favor, because now there are many companies engaged in international trade.

With English you are one step ahead of your competitors!

2. Improved memory. How more people trains his memory, the better it works for him. In the modern world, you will always need a good memory, which can be trained by learning languages.

3. The ability to watch your favorite films in the original. With satellite TV, you can watch foreign TV programs. And here again you cannot do without knowledge of English. In addition, it is much more interesting to hear the real voices of the actors and their intonations.

4. Music. Now you can understand the meaning of your favorite songs and even sing them.

You will always know what your favorite stars are singing about

5. On holiday abroad you will be able to talk to foreigners. While on holiday abroad, you cannot do without knowing English, because with it you can easily establish contacts with local residents to get to know each other or ask them about something.

As you travel around the city, you will understand what the guide is saying; you won’t get lost in an unfamiliar place because you speak the language; you will be able to easily navigate the city, which means you will get to know the state better by constantly communicating with its residents. And finally, in a restaurant you can order what you like yourself, rather than pointing your finger at beautiful picture dishes.

6. Reading the necessary technical and professional literature. Unfortunately, only a small part of the literature is translated into national languages, including Russian. In addition, such a translation, as a rule, drags on for a year or two (according to statistics, this is the period during which specialized books are translated), and during this time the information loses its relevance. The sites are also mostly in English. Knowledge of a language, even if incomplete, significantly increases your information awareness.

7. New communication opportunities. The World Wide Web has already expanded the possibilities of communication; nowadays you can easily correspond with a foreigner. Knowing English helps you find interesting friends and expand your circle of acquaintances, making life brighter and more eventful. Who knows, maybe you decide to marry a foreigner.

I will have many friends from different parts of the world!

8. Bring variety into your life. Every person has his own hobbies that bring newness to his life. A great hobby is learning English. If you learn to understand a language you previously did not understand, you will be able to better realize your communication potential when communicating with different people around the world.

9. Good opportunity earn money. With knowledge of English, you can earn extra money as a translator, translating abstracts, letters, articles, fiction and highly specialized works, and get paid for it.

10. New horizons. Knowing any foreign language never hurts. This gives you additional options. Who knows, maybe your new knowledge will be useful to you tomorrow?

As the last two bonus reasons, I will name the following:

As a child, I was madly in love with Jumble movies and watched a lot of them all the time. And then on YouTube I came across an interesting episode that is related to our topic!

Why are you studying a foreign language?

Learning A new language
Learning a new language is not easy. So when we want to learn the language, we should be confident and should not be shy. Therefore, we should practice language as much as we can. To learn language we should follow certain steps.

As matter as fact, students who wish to learn the language should follow certain steps. First, we should listen to the new language as much as possible. We have better listening to a native speaker that because we will learn pronunciation correctly. Also, we can use radio, audio programs and watching T.V in listening language. Moreover, we should try ad much as possible listening to the language four hours everyday.

Second, to speak a new language we should be confident. For example, we should be confident and do not fear of our mistakes when we speak. Therefore, If we shy and do not want to make a mistake, we can not speak because we are afraid to make a mistake.

Third, read in the language as much as we can. For instance, read from general books which have topics we like it. Also, read from children's books and read from magazines.

Fourth, to learn writing we should draw our planning and think of what we want to write about. In addition to that we can learn writing by writing our daily.

To conclude, we should practice these skills as much as we can. In addition to that if we have desire we can overcome the abstracts that we face when learning language.

Essay in English - Why study English with translation

A lot of problems of the 21st century, such as the problems of war and peace, ecology, can not be solved without speaking the same language.

The English language is now the first language of about 350 million people, the native language of 12 nations and the official language of more than 33 nations. It means that one of seven people in the world speaks English.

Some people learn English because they need it in their work; others to travel aboard and for lots of people learning English is just a hobby.

I have been learning English since the age of 11. I like learning English very much. But I like and know well my native language, Russian. The great German poet Goethe once said: “He, who knows no foreign language, does not know his own one.” I agree with him. The knowledge of English helps me to learn Russian.

Why study English
Learning foreign languages ​​is important these days. I think that cultural and modern man must study foreign languages. But I prefer English. Why? English is becoming a global language. Half a billion people in the world use English at home or at work. English is a language that is known for all our beautiful, majestic and amazing world. English is so widespread that it has become the standard language for all types of international communication.

Problems of the 21st century, such as problems of war and peace, ecology, cannot be solved unless we speak the same language.

English is spoken by more than 350 million people, is the mother tongue of 12 nations and the official language of more than 33 nationalities. This means that every seventh person in the world speaks English.

Some people learn English because they need it in their work, others travel abroad a lot, and for many, learning English favorite activity. I started learning the language at the age of 11. I really like him. But I also love my native Russian language. The great German poet Goethe once said: “He who does not know a foreign language does not know his own.” I agree with him, everything is learned by comparison. Knowing English helps me learn Russian.

Today, English is one of the most popular languages ​​in the world. Approximately 1.5 billion people speak English, and somewhere around 1 billion are learning it. English has covered all spheres of human life: science, media, study, work and leisure. Therefore, the question “Why should you learn English?” sounds a little strange today. But not for those who have not yet joined the ranks of students. And in order to master English perfectly, you need strong motivation, which will constantly encourage and inspire a person to new victories.

"You can never understand one language until you understand at least two."
—Geoffrey Willans

In this regard, I think it would be very appropriate to identify the 10 main reasons for learning English.

Promising work

Everyone knows that in order to get a good and interesting job, you need knowledge not only in the professional field, but also excellent command of the English language. In addition, specialists with knowledge of English receive salaries 44% higher than their “non-proficient” colleagues. Agree, attending English courses is a good investment in yourself.

Watching movies in original

Do you still think that everyone’s favorite action movie “Die Hard” or the wonderful touching comedy “1+1” sound exactly like this in the original? Well, I hasten to disappoint you. Often, film distributors change the names of films, trying to make them bright and catchy, as a result of which the author's intention is completely lost. If names are so neglected, imagine what happens to original scripts, interesting dialogues, sparkling expressions. Difficult? Then I recommend watching “The hangover”, “Die Hard”, “Lion King”.

Reading books in the original

Have you ever read Dickens, O. Henry, Dreiser in the original? If not, then sit down and read a book! You will be surprised by the mastery of words, amazed by the authors’ ability to accurately convey in words emotional state heroes. We decided to try it, but don’t know where to find it. Then here you go:

Ability to keep up with the times

Almost all international conferences, sporting competitions, and popular shows are conducted in English. Most of all scientific publications are also in English. Knowing the language, you can access any information, whether it be English-language newspapers and magazines The Times, The Economist or BBC and CNN channels.

"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."
—Chinese Proverb

Education abroad

Fortunately, getting an education abroad is not a problem these days. Today, universities offer many options for obtaining education, both full-time and remotely. Interesting? Master English and find what you need on the following sites:

Trips

Travel lovers should also learn English, not only to save on a translator, but also to avoid various awkward situations. Knowing English, you will get much more emotions and impressions from your trip.

New acquaintances

By learning to speak and understand a foreign language, you can make friends living in other countries, i.e. you will never feel alone again.

"Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow."
—Oliver Wendell Holmes

Prestigious hobby

Do you have a lot of free time? Take up learning English. By immersing yourself in English-speaking culture, reading original authors, watching fascinating films, mastering grammar, you will forever forget what boredom is.

Getting to know the culture of English-speaking countries

They say, “The number of languages ​​you know is the number of times you are human.” Of course, you can learn about a country’s culture without understanding the language. It’s possible to find out, but it’s impossible to plunge into a new world, to understand, to comprehend.

Availability

Never before has learning foreign languages ​​been so accessible. Imagine, sitting at home, in a cozy and familiar atmosphere, you can gain knowledge by communicating with highly qualified, energetic, positive-minded teachers.

Friends, are you still thinking about the question “Do I need English?” Join us soon, otherwise next time the question “Do you speak English?” you will respond something like this:
— Do you speak English?
- Yes, if only.

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

What is English for? This is a question that concerns both those who are just beginning to study it and those who are just thinking about such a prospect. New opportunities – does this apply to Russia?

English today is studied in schools, colleges, universities and courses. Every year the number of people who want to learn it is only increasing, which leads to an increase in the popularity of this international language. Why is English necessary, and how can it be used in life?

Is English needed in Russia and the CIS countries?

Every new language opens up new opportunities for us. The more languages ​​a person knows, the freer he feels. Knowledge of English allows you to:

1. Read scientific articles, books, conference results in the original. This is especially important for those who work in the scientific field. Doctors, engineers and other specialists will be able to get acquainted with the achievements of their foreign colleagues and use them in their work. It also helps with writing scientific works, because it will be possible to add sources in English to the list of references.
2. Freely communicate with business partners. A specialist who is not only well versed in his field, but also speaks English, becomes especially valuable. This increases personal competitiveness and promotes career growth.
3. Meet and communicate with foreigners for personal purposes. Good acquaintances and friends around the world are an excellent opportunity to practice the language and get to know new cultures. Perhaps this way you can find a life partner.
4. Travel without problems. By purchasing a tour, you can go to almost any country even without knowing the language. But there will still be difficulties when purchasing tickets for public transport, ordering food in cafes and restaurants, searching for the right attractions. IN independent travel knowing the language is even more important, so English opens up this opportunity too.
5. Watch your favorite films and TV series in the original. This can be used both on initial stage studying (adding subtitles), and after mastering its main stages. It is best to start with those films that have already been watched previously in Russian. Knowledge of English will allow you to hear the voices of your favorite actors and see the picture as it really is (each voice acting interprets the characters' lines in its own way).
6. Feel more comfortable in society. Knowledge of English can come in handy at any time. Knowing him, you will not find yourself in awkward situations.

Who is learning English today?

In the modern world, learning English begins in kindergarten. It is easier for children to assimilate information, so they quickly learn basic knowledge (alphabet, names of colors, animals, objects). After this, the language is studied at school, but the children still do not understand why they need it and do not put in enough effort. Learning English at school is negatively affected by:

• features of the educational program;
• large number children in groups/classes;
• lack of motivation;
• incorrect approach of the teacher;
• use of outdated textbooks and teaching aids.

Conscious language learning begins at university or after graduation. At this age, many people understand that knowledge of a foreign language has many advantages, and this is what they should strive for. For students who know English, there will be a bonus in the form good grades(English is studied as a foreign language in most specialties). After graduation, many are faced with the need to know the language for work and also begin to learn it. Everyone chooses the most convenient ways language learning.

How you can master English: modern opportunities for learning it

The answer to the question “Why learn English?” presented above. But how to do this so that there is a result? Students and adults who have set this goal for themselves prefer:

1. Foreign language courses. Classes in small groups with experienced teachers allow you to master not only the lexical and grammatical features of the language, but also spoken English. Working in pairs and groups promotes more active language acquisition.
2. Tutors. Individual lessons have several advantages: the teacher is focused on only one student, mistakes and difficulties will not go unnoticed, you can adjust the program as needed, and you can study at any convenient time.
3. Independent studies. Tutorials, reading books, using modern opportunities, communicating with native speakers, reading forums and blogs.
4. Special mobile applications. Today you can learn English anywhere and at any time. To do this, you need to have a smartphone (or tablet) and Internet access. Mobile applications turn the language learning process into interesting game, in which both vocabulary and grammar are studied. The tasks depend on the language level (it is determined using a test). Each user of the application sees their progress, which further motivates them to continue learning the language.

Travelers, businessmen and other residents of Russia who want to broaden their horizons choose to study English. Knowledge of this language will allow you to get acquainted with the culture of countries such as Great Britain, the United States of America, Australia and Canada. English is an international language, so it is always used at conferences.