Reference & Education
Learn English As A Second Language May Help Advance Your Career
There is no doubt about it; English is the internationally recognized language of business. Nearly all of the world’s international business is done in English and the main goal of virtually every business out there is to become international and sell their product or service all over the globe. So to truly be as successful as you possibly can in the business world - to learn English as a second language is an absolute must.
There are literally millions and millions of resources available for those that want to get an extra edge on the competition when it comes to performance in business - tons of magazines and books and the incredible amount of information available on the internet could all easily keep the aspiring business student busy learning for years and years to come.
With all of the information available to help people excel in the world of business, there should be no problem at all for someone who really has the desire to do well in their particular venture right?… Well the only problem that could arise has to do with the fact that the majority of this information is exclusively available in English. So as a hopeful international business person - most of the communicating you’ll have do regarding your company’s international business will need to be done in English, and virtually all of the amazing resources available to you to make yourself a better business person will also come in the form of English, these are two of the prime reasons that, as a future business person, learning English may be the best possible move for the future of your career.
Most of the work that you’ll be doing as a business person (especially an international business person) will be done on a computer - processing orders, creating sales registers, providing price and freight quotes to customers, ordering product and managing inventory will all likely be jobs that are done entirely on a computer. To be successful at your job, you’ll need to be competent in almost all of these tasks at some stage of your career, which means that you’ll have to be competent when it comes to using a computer and all of the most common computer programs and applications are in - you guessed it - English.
As you can see, learning English will most certainly help your career in many ways, and conversely, not learning English could very well inhibit the growth of your career as a business person. Once you’ve mastered English as your second language you’ll be a much more well rounded employee, capable of handling many tasks that some of your co workers, even your boss, may not be able to handle. This could make you a very valuable asset to your company, it could ensure your job security and may very possible even put you in line for a nice promotion in the future.
Deciding to learn English as your second language could easily prove to be the very best decision you’ll ever make in regards to your career. It could open up opportunities for you that you never dreamed possible and with the popularity of learning English as a second language on the rise, there are more and more ways to do so open to you every day. Whether you choose day or evening classes, online learning or English lessons from a private tutor there is surely a method of learning out there that will fit into your schedule as well as your budget so you can begin right away working your way toward a big improvement in your level of knowledge and maybe a better position in your career.
English Spelling Rules: Adding Prefixes and Suffixes
Knowing proper spelling is very important for a number of reasons. First of all, when words cannot be spoken from our mouths we can write them down. If these words are not spelled properly, then that communication is compromised. Since communicating in writing is very important in many of our jobs, it is important that we know some very important grammar rules. Second, many use writing to write down their ideas. If proper grammar isn’t used, then those who like to write in diaries and journals would not understand what they wrote when reading it years down the road. So not only is it important to learn English speaking skills, writing is also important when communicating with others, it is also important when communicating with ourselves.
Below are rules regarding the addition of prefixes and suffixes to words.
Prefixes
Prefixes are those additions that usually do not change the spelling of the word. The prefix is attached to the word despite any consonant duplications, accents, or syllabication. Examples are:
- Unavailable - the prefix is the “un” and it is easy to see that the remainder of the word, available, does not change.
- Misspell - Ironically, this word is the most misspelled word. A great way to remember how to spell misspell is that “mis” is the prefix and “spell” is the main word. The spelling of the main word does not change at all, but it is amazing how often this word is not spelled correctly.
Suffixes
When adding a suffix, the main part of the word usually changes the spelling of the word, but sometimes there are exceptions. Take the word treatment, for instance. “ment” is the suffix of the word and “treat” is the original word. Simply add the “ment” to “treat” and you have treatment without any spelling modifications.
For those words that have a short vowel sound and end with a single consonant, the consonant is doubled when adding on a suffix that starts with a vowel. These suffixes canbe ed, ing, or er. Some examples:
- Biggest- big is the main word that has a short vowel sound and ends in a singal consonant. As a result, we add another “g” and then the “est” since it starts with a vowel.
There are exceptions, though. There are some words that end in r,x,w or y and don’t require doubling. Such a word is blowing. The suffix is “ing,” but because the single consonant is a ‘w’, there is no need for doubling.
If there are two consonants at the end of your main word, or two vowels, the consonant doesn’t need to be doubled. An example is the word keeper. The vowels are e e, so the “er” can be added on without doubling the consonant. Another thing to keep in mind is that when a suffix is added that begins with a vowel and the main words ends with a silent “e”, that silent “e” should be dropped like it is in the words pricing and surprising. However, if the suffix used begins with a consonant, the silent “e” should be kept such as in the words likeness and advancement.
It is also necessary to drop the final “Y” in the main word when adding a suffix if the “Y” has a consonant before it. The word worry becomes worried and supply becomes supplies. But this rule does not apply to words ending in why in which the “ing” suffix is added. Examples are: Crying and obeyed.
English lessons are very helpful and it is important to know the rules regarding prefixes and suffixes. It is easy to see that there is more involved with adding a suffix than a prefix, but with practice suffixes can be added on without even thing about them. These rules are vital for effective communication, so knowing the rules is very important.
The Negative Effects of Not Speaking English in North America
If you are living in North America, you need to know English. Even if you are living in an area where another language is predominately spoken, such as ethnic regions in big cities or French-speaking areas of Canada, not knowing English is a major disadvantage. Learning English is not difficult, so why not overcome these hurdles and learn the language so that you can live more comfortably in the area you have chosen?
Americans Expect You to Speak English
Unlike many parts of Europe, Americans do not cater to people who speak other languages. Unfortunately, many stores and businesses do not have bilingual employees. Americans expect those who live in their country to speak English. If you are living in or near America, the people around you will expect that you know how to speak their native tongue.
In fact, when you live in North America, especially in America itself, and cannot speak English, you will almost have to rely on someone else to serve as your personal translator when you are out and about in the community. Unless you want to drag your English-speaking friend or child along with you to help interpret for you wherever you go, you really should learn English. This will allow you to be independent as a resident of America.
Signage and Labels Are in English
Since Americans expect the people living in their country to speak English, most signs and labels are printed in English. If you cannot read English, you will have a difficult time driving and shopping in North America. Some border areas, such as those near Texas, will have signs and labels that are bilingual, but the majority of places in America only print signage in one language, and that is English.
Imagine getting in your car and heading out on the freeway to go to the grocery store. You see a sign indicating that there is road construction and a detour, but you cannot read it. Suddenly you are sent on a detour that sends you somewhere you have never been before. How will you get back to the road you intended to be on in the first place? Knowing English is the only way to make sure that you can get where you need to go.
When you reach the store, you will need to know English in order to buy the items on your list. If you need shampoo, you will need to be able to read the shampoo bottle to choose the right type. You could end up walking out the door with shampoo meant for curly haired people when your hair is straight, or you could even end up buying conditioner. Learning to speak and read English will save you from these potentially embarrassing situations.
Knowing English Will Get You a Better Job
If you are looking for employment in North America, not understanding English puts you at a severe disadvantage. You will earn less money and work less prestigious jobs if you do not know English. Even if you have technical knowledge that would give you the chance to earn a decent income, if you cannot communicate in English you will not be granted the job. Most jobs that center on computers and technology require you to speak English, making these jobs unreachable for you until you learn the language.
The bottom line is that if you want to succeed as a resident of North America, communicate with your neighbors, and get a good job, you need to know English. If you do not know English, you are at a severe disadvantage. To overcome this disadvantage, sign up today for an English lessons or find a program online that can teach you the language. Your career and quality of life in North America depend on this action!
