Did you know that English is the most spoken language in the world? English is used among 370 million people around the world with 1.5 billion people actively learning the language as of 2021. According to the Census of Population 2020, conducted every ten years by the Singapore Department of Statistics, the percentage of people using English as their main language increased from 32.3% in 2010 to 48.3% in 2020, indicating a constant growth in the use of English. This shows how important the English language is in our world for communication, lifelong learning, and adaptability.
Automation, digitalisation, and working with people from different countries has become common as the global workforce changes. To stay competitive, it is important to use English to develop key career skills, improve job opportunities, and promote global citizenship. Here’s how English courses, like Business English and private lessons, can help adults adapt to these changes.
Trends and changes in the global workforce
Two important trends have surfaced recently: 1) artificial intelligence (AI) and 2) the growth of remote work. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, 375 million workers worldwide may need to change their jobs or learn new skills by 2030 due to changes affected by automation and AI.
In these changing times, English will still remain as the main language of business. Being fluent in English is important for researching information, learning materials, and working with people globally.
Also, with remote work becoming common, English is crucial for communicating to people from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures. It helps you share your ideas clearly, resolve conflicts, and adapt into different work environments. This helps promote global citizenship by improving communication between cultures, increasing self-awareness, and understanding others better.
So, how do you keep up with the changing work environment?
Boosting your career skills with the British Council’s lessons
The British Council’s English courses for adults are designed to achieve your learning goals. Here are two courses that provide useful skills you can use right away at work and in daily life:
1. Business English
Our Business English course is perfect for working professionals who want to use English better at work. This course helps you improve skills like communication, negotiation, and leadership by covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing, along with grammar and vocabulary for business settings.
By taking this course, you will:
- speak more clearly and naturally at work
- talk about different business topics effortlessly
- share and explain your opinions on work issues more smoothly
- feel more confident in meetings, negotiations, and presentations
- understand and use real business materials
- write business texts, like emails, more accurately and effectively.
Classes are offered part-time with a maximum of 16 students or through 1:1/Small group private lessons for personalised learning.
