One of the first things I learnt when I trained to be a life coach was to start with your why. This is a great question to think about, not just for your English learning but also for life in general.
Why do you do the things that you do?
When we know why we are doing something, when we can see what the advantages are then we’re more willing to do it. In fact, we’ll want to do it and we’ll be excited about it. The whole process will feel easier and we’re more likely to enjoy the journey.
Why are you learning English?
One of the first questions I ask my students is ‘Why do you want to learn English?’. I ask this first and foremost to gauge their English level, but to also find out more about them as a person and to see how best to teach them.
Some of the reasons I’m told are things like:
- To get a good score on the IELTS exam so that they can go to university in an English speaking country
- To progress in their jobs
- To travel more easily around the world
These answers are a great first step because of course, having a better understanding of English can help you to study at the university of your dreams, to get a job promotion or to help you travel, but we could also go a little deeper than this.
So what I like to ask next is: “In what ways could learning English improve your life?”
Usually this next question is met with some confusion at first but after a little more thinking, I usually get answers like this:
- I wouldn’t have to rely on my friends or family to translate or speak for me.
- I wouldn’t worry about travelling on my own.
- I might have more options for jobs, especially in different countries if I could speak English fluently.
- I would be able to watch films without subtitles.
- I could get a better job and make more money!
- I could make friends from all around the world and learn about their cultures.
- I could read my favourite books, like Harry Potter, in their original language.
- I would feel more confident.
The first set of answers were good, but the second set of answers… WOW! When we focus on these second reasons, we can feel the excitement and the possibilities that learning English can give us. This is what learning English is all about. It’s about the opportunities that knowing a new language can open up. It’s about feeling more confident in ourselves, about living life more fully and enjoying what the world has to offer.
So, my question to you, dear English learner is:
Why are you learning English and how could learning English improve your life?
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