Importance of English

How the level of English is going to affect you in your higher studies?

This is the most repetitive question that I get from my students.

Even if you are an undergraduate or a post graduate student, your English proficiency should be at a satisfactory level to complete a degree program. That is why some foreign countries request a certain marks range for the entrance through language qualifying exams like IELTS.

I believe that the proficiency of English cannot be achieved quickly. You need to put your effort and time with dedication. If I talk from my experience, I was not brought up from a family of English speaking as Sinhala was my mother tongue. But I believe I had good teachers at school and private tuition places where the basics were pumped to me properly. In addition, I used to watch movies, read books and talk with relevant people to be fluent in English. As Richard Feynman has once said, “If you want to master something, teach it”. So, during my undergraduate days I used to teach English Literature as a method of utilizing my knowledge and as an income source as well to ordinary level students. Apart from that, I used to visualize myself talking to a crowd as a lecturer in English from the beginning of my university days.

English literacy can be achieved if you master your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills in equal percentages. What I have noticed in students is that some try to be good in one or two departments like reading or writing but not in speaking. Speaking is very important if you learn a new language other than your native language. On the other hand, writing without any grammar and spelling mistakes is also a requirement for effective communication. If you listen carefully, then you can identify different accents, dialects, expressions and many more which add beauty to the language. Reading is essential if you want to improve your vocabulary with new words.

Compared to our time, nowadays students have many sources/methods/channels to learn English without barriers. According to my experience, anyone can set goals for English literacy, but only the ones who are disciplined, dedicated and determined will be rewarded at the end. It is true for any other language too. So, it is your duty to have interest towards the specific language and master with time to a satisfactory level.

Finally, I would like to quote from the book of Mohamed Ali in 2004.

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it."

Tip:

The following link explains about the ways you can learn English faster.

https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/how-to-learn-english-faster/