Have you ever wondered if improving your English skills could help you earn more money in a job and career?
I came across an interesting study by Pearson which explored the largely positive impact of English fluency on people’s careers.
The one big takeaway:
“English language proficiency has a transformative impact on every area of your life – and your salary.” – Pearson Research, 2024
I believe developing your English language skills is the smartest move you can make right now.
- 56% think speaking English well can increase your earnings by 50%.
- 20% believe it could increase your salary by up to 80%.
- 51% of people are learning English to access higher-paying jobs and opportunities.
Honestly, I’m not too surprised by these numbers above. I’ve seen this play out in my own life. Here’s my personal English-to-salary journey:
- Started with basic English: Entry-level position and basic work tasks.
- Improved to intermediate: Communicated my ideas to colleagues & bosses better and gained their trust.
- Reached advanced level: Worked on important projects and was entrusted with more responsibility.
Impact of English Skills for Advancing Into Management Roles
People with advanced skills in English were more likely to land managerial roles:
| English Level | % in Managerial Roles |
|---|---|
| Limited | 32% |
| Advanced | 76% |
I completely understand this. In my career, I’ve noticed that confidence matters a lot. Confident people can freely express themselves and convince others to trust them; I believe the ability to speak English fluently and confidently contributes to this as well.
English Skills Are Just As Important for Navigating the Digital World
Today, English isn’t just for the office or work alone—we need it to access and use the Internet regularly.
- Just over 60% of web content today is in English.
- 1 in 3 people learn English to make more friends online.
- 10% say they have more social media followers because they post in English.
My digital transformation
I was what you would call a “Lurker” on social media platforms. I would read and listen to what other people had to say but never share my thoughts, opinions, and ideas. My limited understanding of Business English phrases held me back, resulting in missed opportunities to connect and put myself out there.
Improving English Skills Is Also About Becoming Confident in All Areas of Life.
This statement from this study grabbed my attention:
“Almost half of respondents say improving their English has led to feeling more confident, not just at work but also in other areas of their lives.”
How I regained my confidence
I’m introverted and am typically the quietest person in the room on many occasions. Now, you can imagine how much quieter I was because I was afraid to engage with people due to my limited English vocabulary.
This affected me a lot until my confidence grew from developing my language skills, and I could speak and approach people knowing I could understand them and have them understand me.
Building English Skills To Guard Against the Impact of AI and Technology.
You might wonder, ” What does English language learning have to do with AI?” Well, it turns out quite a lot:
- 40% of people are learning English to guard against the impact of AI on their jobs.
- 85% believe English is essential for professional success today.
- 72% say their job would be easier with a solid understanding of English.
Some skills I am focussing on to stay ahead of AI:
- Persuasive writing.
- Public speaking.
- Cross-cultural negotiation.
- Creative problem-solving.
Learning English Can Also Be Fun and Interactive.
The study found that 87% of people use social media weekly to learn English. Some interactive and stimulating ways of English learning I’ve found include:
- Apps: Duolingo, Babbel.
- Podcasts: English learner series.
- YouTube: Business English channels.
English skills: What have we learned?
- Advanced English skills increase your earning potential.
- They can help you land those fancy manager jobs.
- You need them to navigate the modern Internet.
- They help you feel more confident in a variety of situations in life.
- They are an ideal way of future proofing careers against AI and other disruptive technologies.
Something I Want You To Take Away and Remember From This Post Is This:
“Investing in your English skills is an investment in yourself. It is the key to accessing opportunities in today’s global, digital world.”
