At Preply, we speak with over 100,000 language learners every month. The most common reason they don’t meet their language goals? They give up!
Language learning can be a frustrating process. Sometimes you may feel tempted to throw away your textbooks, ignore notifications from language apps, and say “If only I was seven years old, then I’d pick up this language no problem!”
Unfortunately, you can’t turn back the clock. Instead, language learners need to set goals, make a plan, and put in the hours to get better every day. Every micro improvement can trigger a macro change.
If you’re an English learner who needs a boost in motivation to meet your goals in 2024, then we’ve got some inspiring quotes from history’s greatest thinkers to keep you going. But before that, why should you keep learning English in the first place?
Why English is the most useful language in the world
English is the language of business
Do not underestimate the impact that English could have on your career—and your income!
Learning English will allow you to speak with around 2 billion people. This is a huge chunk of the world’s population, which has made English the unofficial language of international business.
One study also found that being fluent in English can increase your hourly wage by 28% on average. By learning English you can create a bright future where you can earn more and work almost anywhere in the world.
English is the most useful language for travel
Traveling is an amazing way to explore new cultures, but you can’t possibly communicate with everyone in their native tongue. Luckily, English comes in handy as a common universal language. Over a quarter of the world’s population speaks English, so the probability of meeting someone who is a proficient English speaker on your travels is pretty high.
If you need help finding which bus to take, want to negotiate a better price for a souvenir, or are looking to order the best local food, then it’s very likely English will help you. To help you on your travels, check out our list of the best English phrases to learn while traveling.
The most popular entertainment in the world is in English
For English language learners, the global entertainment industry is also a goldmine to improve your fluency.
For example, you could watch entire movies with a notepad, pausing every time to look up and write down new vocabulary. This is a great way to learn new words, as well as practice their pronunciation. There’s even a handy Chrome Extension to read subtitles in your target and native languages side-by-side.
TV and movies aren’t the only entertainment you can use. You could practice using online video games, which force you to communicate with other players from different countries. YouTube is also a great resource since 66% of its content is in English. There’s no doubt that unlocking your English skills will open the door to a whole world of entertainment!
English is the language of the internet
English isn’t just the “universal language” of the physical world, it’s the most dominant language of the digital world too. 80 percent of electronically stored information is in English, according to research by linguistics professional David Graddol. As well as that, several of the most dominant programming languages – including Java and Python – are based on English. The internet became so interconnected with English that it is now the language of the digital age.
22 motivational quotes for English learners
“I know English is really important”, you might say, “but I’m still having trouble staying motivated!” If you’re looking for an extra boost of inspiration, check out these nuggets of wisdom from some of history’s most well-known thinkers, philosophers, and multi-linguists.
1. One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way. — Frank Smith. Tweet this!
2. Our language is funny – a ‘fat chance’ and a ‘slim chance’ are the same thing. — J. Gustav White.
3. The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination: it is the property of the language itself. — Derek Walcott. Tweet this!
4. The English language is so elastic that you can find another word to say the same thing. — Mahatma Gandhi. Tweet this!
5. What is the shortest word in the English language that contains the letters: abcdef? Answer: feedback. Don’t forget that feedback is one of the essential elements of good communication. — Author Unknown.
See AlsoA quote by Oscar Wilde
6. If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart. — Nelson Mandela. Tweet this!
7. Learning another language is like becoming another person. — Haruki Murakami. Tweet this!
8. To have another language is to possess a second soul. — Charlemagne. Tweet this!
9. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going. — Rita Mae Brown.
10. Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language. — Frank Smith. Tweet this!
11. You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere. — Lee Iacocca.
12. The limits of my language are the limits of my world. ‒ Ludwig Wittgenstein. Tweet this!
13. The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. — Mark Twain. Tweet this!
14. Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid. ― Fyodor Dostoevsky. Tweet this!
15. Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success. — Paul J. Meyer.
16. Do you know what a foreign accent is? It’s a sign of bravery. — Amy Chua. Tweet this!
17. One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation. — Arthur Ashe.
18. I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. — Neil Gaiman. Tweet this!
19. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. — Benjamin Franklin.
20. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. — Chinese Proverb. Tweet this!
21. Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn — Benjamin Franklin. Tweet this!
22. Learn a new language and get a new soul. ‒ Czech proverb.
Stay motivated in 2024 with live language lessons
Feeling a surge of motivation from these famous speakers? The next best step is to use these words as fuel and take your goals into your own hands! Today, try listening to a podcast, writing a diary entry, or better yet, create a study schedule. Having a plan will help you to stay motivated so you can make long-term progress. Consistency is key!
Another great way to stay motivated is with the help of a tutor. A language tutor can help you stay on track whenever you feel like giving up. Better yet, tutors can create flexible lesson plans, and even adapt classes to your mood. Not feeling motivated to work on tricky grammar exercises one day? No problem! A great tutor will tailor each lesson to suit you. That way, your language learning journey will never feel boring.
Here’s one final quote to take in: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Start planning ahead to reach your English speaking goals — they are waiting for you!
