For international students who are interested in landing a career in the United States (US) after graduating from college, it’s important that they master their English speaking skills. Higher learning institutions like Florida National University (FNU) require international students to score a satisfactory level in the English as a Second Language (ESL) certificate programs as one of our core requirements for admission.
Learning to Communicate in English Verbally and Physically
If you’re aspiring or have already come to the US to earn a college education, then you understand the importance of speaking good English. It’s also equally important to comprehend how a message in English is being conveyed through verbal and body language.
America is a country that is considered to be a melting pot for all ethnicities and people of different backgrounds and cultures. Yet, English is the primary language used to communicate. Much of a business’ success relies on clear communication. While being fluent in multiple languages is certainly a plus, the basic need for the inner workings of a business to understand one another is critical.
The Importance of Understanding English to Learn
At FNU, and every accredited college in the US, our courses are taught in the English language, so it’s imperative that any student enrolled in our university is able to clearly speak and comprehend the subject matter being taught. While there are a few courses offered on our campus that are bilingually taught in English and Spanish, we encourage students to become as fluent in the English language as they are in their native tongue.
The more comfortable you are with the English language, the more likely it is that you’ll speak up. This might encourage you to engage in conversations making you more socially active in the classroom, the campus, your workplace, and even the community.
To Speak: The Advantage of Speaking English in the Classroom
The best way to do well in your college classes is to ask questions. However, you won’t be able to do that well if no one can understand you, and it definitely won’t help if you can’t understand anyone. Broken communication lines in the classroom can hurt your comprehension of what’s being taught. If you can’t understand the lessons that the professor teaches, then the chances are highly likely that you will fail the course.
You could’ve scored extremely high on your SAT or ACT exams, but if you’re unable to apply your knowledge in the college classroom, it won’t matter. You’ll fail the course and it will affect your overall GPA—something that job seekers look at when new graduates apply to their company.
To Speak on Campus: The Advantage of Speaking English on Campus
College campuses are much more than a place to learn academically. It’s a place to experience and discover different cultures and ethnicities, to commune with people you may not have otherwise ever crossed paths with had you not gone to college. College offers you the opportunity to prepare for the real world so that you will be comfortable working in diverse environments. With a college experience, you’ll be able to effectively communicate in a clear and concise manner.
College is a place where lifelong friendships are developed and business connections are made. This is why mastering the English language is so critical for a successful college career in the US.
To Speak at Your Job: The Advantage of Speaking English at Work
Many FNU graduates have gone on to achieve successful professional careers in their area of interest. With the help of social media, you won’t ever have to worry about losing contact with any of your college friends and/or classmates. As an FNU alum, you’ll be able to make professional business connections that can help further your career. Without understanding the English language, none of this will be possible.
To Speak in the Community: The Advantage of Speaking English to the World
If you aspire to make a positive difference in the world with the US being your home, you must speak the universal language of English. Oftentimes, it starts with you and what you do in your own community. You certainly have the choice not speak up and say anything at all, but you want it to be because you chose to, not because you couldn’t.
Think of all the brilliant minds who have immigrated to America from other countries and made a positive impact in the world because they were able to share and communicate their ideas in a language everyone could understand!
- Gloria Estefan (Cuban) – Singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur
- Oscar de la Renta (Dominican) – Fashion designer
- Jorge Ramos (Mexican) – Author and journalist
- Sergey Brin (Russia) – Co-Founder of Google
- Steve Chen (Taiwan) and Jawed Karim (East Germany) – Founders of YouTube
- Madeleline Albright (Czech Republic) – First female US Secretary of State
To Speak or Not to Speak: The Choice is Yours!
If you want to pursue a college education in the US, you’ll need to understand the English language. FNU offers three different levels of ESL programs starting with the Basic Level, the Intermediate Level, and finally the High Intermediate Level.
With FNU’s two campuses located in the South Florida area, our ESL certificate programs provide international students with the comfort and convenience of improving their English speaking and comprehension skills in an environment that may be a little more familiar to them in terms of diversity.
Speaking the English language in America will get you further in your academic and professional studies by providing more opportunities for you to succeed. Expanding your language and becoming bilingual will also make you more marketable in the job-seeking industry. To enroll in one of our ESL Certificate programs, contact a Florida National University advisor today.
