English is a very important language because it is universal. People of different origins and country who speak different languages or dialects can understand each other through speaking the English Language (Bakopoulos, 1997). I always knew how important learning English is especially as I dreamed to travel in other parts of the world or communicate with other cultures. I did not expect that all people know how to speak English fluently, but I know that the majority understand English even in bits and pieces.
Moreover, English knowledge is especially important in business for there may be clients and customers who belong to different cultures who speak different languages. Or if a business wishes to expand, then English is very important for widening contacts especially in global scale. In my case, I would like to study English for expanding my knowledge and enhancing my communication skills. As a universal language, I will be updated of what is going on in the world around me without having to need an interpreter.
Also, knowing how to speak English will enable me to understand other cultures and form close relationships with them, especially in America, which is the home of many diverse cultures and nationality. And of course, English will be useful when I seek employment or operate a business of which I plan to do so at some point in my life.
Learning to speak and understand English is not easy. Aside from the vocabulary, there is the complication of correct sentence construction. It is sometimes a source of struggle and frustration in my part to construct a correct English grammar for one had to take note on tenses, verb agreements and other grammar rules. Added to that, one word may not mean the same thing, the meaning of the word had to be taken in context. And aside from that, there is also the difficulty of pronunciation where “a” or other vowels may not be pronounced in the same way at all times. When I first began to study English, I realized that it might take a while before I master it.
My impression of the English language is that it may be hard to learn at first. The hardest part is when the first time I have to write an essay using the language. It gave me a headache to choose the appropriate word that I should use in order to convey what I was trying to say or what I really meant. And even if I may have chosen the right word, there is also the added burden of arranging them into correct sentences so that the result would not only be laughable but also mean a different thing.
Speaking English was rather hard too. Part of studying English is oral recitation so that one not only knows how to write it but also how to speak it. Pronunciation was tough and I wonder why the Americans had to complicate it, especially with different pronunciations of the same letter like the “e” letter in heat may not be pronounce the same way in heart.
Reading was hard too, since there is a constant need for consultation of the dictionary to understand the meaning of the words. My teachers encouraged me to read books or other reading materials that use the English language for it will help me to become familiarize with the English language. I realized that they were correct. When I constantly read, I began to distinguished correct grammar usage even if I do not have to think about grammar rules. I just knew that this was how it should be written or spoken.
Studying English has now improved my relationships with other people of other cultures. I do not have to rely so much now in facial expressions or gestures to understand what the other person is trying to say. In short, there is already less frustration and misunderstanding when I have to communicate with other cultures.
Reference
- Bakopoulos, Dean. (1997). English as universal academic language: good or bad? University of Michigan. Retrieved April 14, 2008 from http://www.ur.umich.edu/9697/Jan28_97/artcl18.htm
