Why Should You?

Speak English with Me

Surabhi Pillai

Hi, there! You’ve got be kidding me, you really thought learning English was cake walk? Excuse me, but you are living in a fool’s paradise, if you thought so. Tell me, can you lose weight by just thinking about it? Though, I wish that were possible…

You know what, had that been probable, I’d be looking like a scare crow by now. On the contrary, I’m trying hard not to end up touching the sides of my bath tub, (even saying that hurts!). So, fellows, thinking won’t help, doing will. And who will have to do the ‘doing’? Tussi (Punjabi), vous (French), tamey, (Gujarati) ningle (Tamil), you- (English) got it?

Some of you did not understand the above two paragraphs, did you? Read them again and again… Mark or underline the words and phrases that you have not understood, go to Google or Bing or wherever… and key in the words and phrases that you’ve found incomprehensible and put the meanings together.

Well, this question must have popped into your minds many times, “Come on, why should I learn English? It isn’t my mother tongue.” You know what, you are right. What is this, why do people go on and on about English? And make such a hue and cry (to make noise) about those who can’t speak in English?

But what to do, the scenario is that those who are good at English:

• are paid more
• are considered better communicators
• get plum (important) assignments
• are more confident
• are more attractive to the opposite gender
• are more suave (polished)

It shouldn’t be the case, but it is. Maybe, it has something to do with the psyche- since childhood we’ve all heard how important English is and we have seen how much importance is given to those who speak good English, which is why, probably, it has gotten into our heads that English is imperative (important).

So, now since we can’t do anything about this situation. Let us follow the famous English idiom ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’.

Here are some of the reasons that makes English a language that we must learn.

1. English is the most commonly used language among foreign language speakers. Throughout the world, when people with different languages come together they commonly use English to communicate.
2. English gives you a higher social status.
3. Your children are prouder of you, if you can speak to their teachers in English.
4. English is commonly spoken throughout much of the world due to Great Britian’s expansion during the colonial age. People in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, parts of Africa, India, and many smaller island nations speak English. English is the commonly adopted second language in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. Speaking English opens these countries and cultures up to you.
5. Another reason why English is so important is that it is the language of science. To excel in science you need to know English.
6. English is also the language of the Film Industry and English means you no longer have to rely on subtitles.
7. In the United States and many other parts of the world, speaking English immediately opens up opportunities regardless of your ethnicity, color, or background.
8. Learn English and you can then teach your children English — or if they are already learning, you can now communicate with them in English.
9. English speakers in the United States earn more money than non-English speakers. Learning English will open your job prospects and increase your standard of living.

Look, learning English is not a big thing, so let’s not make it a big deal by involving our egos in it. You feel, it’ll take you to higher places then go for it; you feel, you’re going great without it then forget about it.

surabhi.pillai@gmail.com

Keep smiling…