So why are YOU learning English? (part 5)

4) "I want to learn English in order to save time and work more efficiently." As you know, the bulk of today's cutting-edge information on science, technology, commerce, and other fields is published in English first and foremost, and if you want to keep abreast of the latest developments, you need to use the original sources – not wait until they become available in your native language. As a matter of fact, many of these publications will never be translated, so if you cannot use English as a second language, you seriously limit your own resources. That's why you need to make it a habit of getting information 'straight from the horse's mouth'. If you can read texts in English, you have a great advantage over those who cannot.

In addition, most international companies use English as their corporate language. As a matter of fact, Rakuten, Japan's biggest on-line shopping website, announced that it intends to make English the only official language inside the company – even within its Tokyo headquarters – within the next couple of months. These companies want their project teams to be able to communicate and collaborate more efficiently. And as a real winner, you want to lead and manage these teams, which means you need to develop excellent English language skills. You will be investing time and effort into preparing workshops, presentations, meetings and company seminars in English, but your investment will pay off, and you will increase your and your company's productivity and efficiency.