While many skills are crucial to us as human beings, mastering a language is perhaps the most fundamental. It provides a framework for the communication skills that students will use throughout their lives. Learning a second language has also been proven beneficial, and bilingual individuals enjoy some unique opportunities and advantages. 

Whether you’re currently a teacher or aspire to be one, you have the potential to empower countless students with the foundational skills they’ll need to succeed and fill the gaps in their linguistic abilities. If your students can’t speak English or are working toward fluency, you can guide them in acquiring that “global language” and its corresponding benefits. 

Advantages of Being Bilingual 

Here we’ll outline three key benefits of being bilingual, paying particular attention to English as a second language. As you read, think about how these advantages could impact your own students. 

  1. Ability to Communicate in More Places 
    Over 1.4 billion people speak English, surpassing Mandarin Chinese as the most widely spoken language on the planet. It’s an official language in 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities, which include locales such as Guam, Gibraltar, and Bermuda. Countries where English is predominant can be found on three different continents. 

    These numbers serve to illustrate just how large a footprint English speakers have made upon the world. Though many other languages are spoken across the globe, English is a helpful language to know if you want to travel or move to another country. Communicative competence—the ability to successfully converse with a speaker of another language in more than single words—can greatly enhance any traveler’s or new resident’s experience.  
  1. Immensely Expanded Career Potential 
    Today’s interconnected world gives individuals greater access to networking and job opportunities worldwide, and bilingual speakers can enjoy the ability to work, whether remotely or in person, in countries and territories where English is a primary language.  

    Critically, however, some of the most populous states from coast to coast—including Texas, California, and Florida—also have the highest numbers of Spanish speakers. These states may offer job opportunities in Spanish-language media and other professions in which Spanish is the primary language. Bilingual individuals can explore both sets of opportunities and apply to a wider range of jobs. 
  1. Higher Earnings 
    English proficiency can clearly lead to more professional opportunities—but what about earnings? Sources like Forbes, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn agree that being bilingual can translate to higher pay:   

Give Students a Path to These Benefits With Your Bilingual/ESL Degree  

For many students, developing English proficiency is a key advantage that will enable them to live productive, rewarding lives. You can be instrumental in helping them gain access to these benefits by completing The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CAEP-accredited online Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL Education program. Our 30-credit program encompasses the latest strategies, techniques, and technologies for teaching language in culturally diverse classrooms, and: 

  • Empowers you with marketable skills. 
  • Can be completed in as little as one year. 
  • Offers two degree concentrations: 
    • Master of Arts in Bilingual Education or 
    • Master of Arts in ESL Education. 
  • Prepares you for bilingual or ESL certification in Texas. 
  • Contact program coordinator Dr. Salgado for information on other states. 
  • Provides the flexibility to learn on your own schedule from nearly any location. 
  • Positions you to experience international networking opportunities of your own. 

Ready to get started? Apply today! 

Sources: 
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-reasons-why-english-global-language-today-lalit-sharma
https://medium.com/english-language-faq/why-did-english-become-the-global-language-9bbc14b532cd
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/english-speaking-countries
https://storylearning.com/blog/english-speaking-countries