In today's modern world, it's hard to imagine someone who has never heard of English. This language is everywhere. In technology, education, especially in the world of work. But can we keep up with it?
Now, can you imagine walking into an interview or a meeting where everyone can speak English—except you? That's when most people realize how many opportunities they're missing out on.
Lately, I've found that most people underestimate English, and most of them are Gen Z. The reasons they give are things like “what's the point” or “I can't do it,” but doesn't that just sound like “I give up” without even trying?
English doesn't guarantee us the best career. However, being able to speak English clearly opens up more opportunities than not being able to at all, right? But again, it all depends.
In today's workplace, English proficiency has become a necessity. Especially if the company is a large corporation, most large companies definitely use English for interviews, meetings, and even communication between teams from different countries.
However, not being able to speak English does not mean we are stupid. We are simply missing out on many opportunities to improve ourselves, grow, and connect with the vast world.
In my opinion, being able to speak English is not just about understanding grammar or vocabulary, but also about confidence. When we can convey our ideas fluently without worrying too much about the perfection of every word we use, we can be accepted and appreciated by others.
From my experience, I was too busy perfecting everything in my speech, grammar, and other aspects that I forgot that confidence is just as important as those things. During group presentations, we’ve all felt nervous and afraid that something we said might be wrong. But it turns out that some people say what matters isn’t the mistakes, but how we try to explain our ideas with confidence. English isn’t just about “talking right,” but “daring to speak” is also important.
About 70% of all content on the internet is in English. If we don't understand English, then we can only access 30% of the digital world. And you know what? Ideas, knowledge, and career opportunities often come from there.
The working world today won't wait for someone to be ready. Like it or not, everything will be in English. If we're still hesitant to start, this is a sign to stop being afraid of making mistakes and start taking bold new steps. Start speaking.
If my career comes to me and asks, “Your career speaks English, does it?” I will make sure to answer with confidence and all the possibilities that lie ahead with “yes, it does.”
In the end, English isn't the only path to success, but without that skill, you'll miss out on some opportunities. The workplace now speaks English, and the question is, are we ready to join in and speak English too?
