English proficiency for career growth

CAREER EDGE

Gobalization has made the world a level playground and the rules are set in English, says Vivek Agarwal

When Lord Macaulay mandated English language learning in India in 1835, he could not have foreseen its rise in a country that prided itself on Sanskrit- the language of the gods. English has indeed come a very long way, since the times it was regarded as just the Queen’s language.

In the 20th century, as the world transformed into a global village, there arose the need for a link language. English emerged as a common thread and has eventually acquired the status of being a global language.Today, a total of 2.5 billion people speak English around the world. The fact that more than 56% of all content on the internet is in English is another testament to its position as the lingua franca of the globalized world.
With such prestige associated with the language, the speakers also associate a certain sense of self-esteem with learning the language.

Having learnt the language of the ‘elite’, there is a sense of inclusion and moving up the social ladder. This is particularly true for learners from non-native countries, and rightfully so. In a world that largely speaks English, it becomes imperative to learn the language to be able to interact and engage with others. Even Facebook, the largest online social network, witnesses well over 52% of its total userbase accessing the site in English.

One might still debate the criticality of learning the language for personal progression. However, the significant role played by English communication skills in the professional domain is undeniable. Globalization has made the world a level playground and the rules are set in English. Leaders across the globe know that the English language makes you part of a larger, global conversation.

And, therefore, even countries, which do not have English as their native language, encourage its population to learn the language.

This realization has become quite evident among individuals and organizations as well. While individuals are in a mad rush to learn the language, organizations have begun to use English language communication skills as a key parameter to evaluate employability. In certain cases, English communication skills are considered so essential that often a minimum skill in the language is non-negotiable with recruiters.

If two candidates have the same technical skills and work proficiency, the candidate with better communication skills and a well-rounded personality definitely has an edge over the other- this being specially true during the times when an organization needs to downsize.

A recent study on ‘English Language Proficiency and Workplace Readiness’ reiterated some interesting insights about levels of English language skills and employment.
According to the report, communication skills (written and oral) are ranked at the top of the most important employability skills. Individuals who can speak English well are 74% more likely to be employed.

Another study conducted by the World Bank, estimated that English communication skills increase the hourly wages of men by a whopping 34%.
This growing and urgent demand for an English-conversant workforce has also ushered in new and innovative ways of learning the language. The traditional instructor-classroom setup is out of step with the current requirements. High quality trainers are hard to find and difficult to retain.

Also, the consistency of the training delivery stands questionable - the human factor is a big hurdle for training standardization.

With such dearth of quality trainers, technology innovations in the field of English Language Training (ELT) are the only way forward. For organizations, it offers large scale replication of the training models - providing high levels of standardization and enhancing the learning experience.

For individuals, training delivery through devices such as mobiles and tablets enhances the scope for personalized learning. The ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ learning possibility offered by these devices further expands the English learning horizon. English has truly evolved as a tool that transforms lives.

The essence and significance of the English language is captured in one word: Opportunity. Opportunity to have a better job, to lead a better social life, to live a better tomorrow.