By Ivan Croxford, Vice President of Marketing at Wall Street English
If you want to succeed on the global stage, you need to know English. It is the language that connects world leaders, fuels international business, and unlocks global career opportunities.
Recent research underscores this reality. Jisc, the UK’s higher education digital, data and technology agency, found UK institutions had educated 50 world leaders who were in post. The US was in second place with 41, followed by the Russian Federation (14) and France (6). This data highlights a trend: English proficiency is not just a tool for communication—it is a gateway to leadership and influence.
But it is not all about global world leaders. English proficiency is also essential for international students seeking admission to UK universities and those looking for global career opportunities. At Wall Street English, with over 3 million successful alumni globally, we have seen first hand how mastering English unlocks elite education, international careers, and leadership roles.
In this article, I explore why English remains the language of leadership, how language providers help shape global success, and why linguistic flexibility, not restriction, will continue to secure its future.
English as the Language of Business
English is the global language of business. As of 2024, around 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide, and the vast majority of those are not native speakers. Many multinational companies like Airbus, Nokia, and Microsoft have made English the official corporate language, reinforcing the value of learning it as a second language.
This widespread adoption is not accidental. Any company with a global presence needs to ensure good communication with its stakeholders and customers. Having a shared language helps facilitate networking across regions and communication across markets. It also opens leadership opportunities. Excelling in leadership requires effective communication, and English is the language that brings global decision-makers together.
Many countries have also recognised this economic advantage. We have seen growth across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa with recent centre openings in Laos, Oman, Libya, Algeria and Kazakhstan. By prioritising English language training, these nations aim to strengthen their workforce, attract international business, and increase economic mobility for their citizens.
English as an Economic and Career Gateway
In today’s world, communication is the true global currency—it drives industries, fosters innovation, and shapes economic success. Whatever your career aspirations, English proficiency widens your opportunities in banking, law, marketing, or other fields.
Research backs this up. Studies have revealed that 80% of English learners believe proficiency directly links to earning potential, leading to as much as an 80% salary increase. Also, those with the highest proficiency are more satisfied with their income and jobs than beginners.
With Artificial Intelligence (AI) entering the mix, people are turning to English to future-proof their skills. Over 40% were learning English to help mitigate the impact of AI and technology on their jobs.
However, job and income prospects are not the only things that matter. English skills are also critical in people’s personal lives and can make them feel more confident generally.
Language Learning Innovations
Global English language learning providers like us at Wall Street English are vital for economic mobility and career and leadership development. To meet evolving learner needs, we continuously innovate, integrating technology with effective teaching methodologies.
Technology has been at the heart of our approach since 1972. Our journey began with innovative (at the time) learning tools like cassettes and CD-ROMSs. Building on this foundation of tech-driven education, we evolved to digital books, which helped reduce environmental impact and costs. We then developed our own proprietary online classroom platform, allowing students to join classes from anywhere in the world. Most recently, we launched our Conversation AI feature – an AI innovation that uses advanced Natural Language Processing to enable students to engage in natural, spontaneous dialogues in a pressure-free environment.
Our Study Planner is another major innovation. It is designed to counteract the unstructured nature of self-learning apps by helping students develop strong study habits and make as much progress as possible given the available time. Our plans adapt to students’ availability to help them maximise their learning, using a combination of visual communication, study session planning, class scheduling, and progress evidencing.
Technology should remove barriers to learning and fit as seamlessly as possible around people’s busy schedules. We do not implement tech for its own sake; we only prioritise innovation that has a tangible impact on learning outcomes. App-based learning often misleads people into thinking that short daily streaks or AI-powered translations equate to true fluency.
However, our recent research on language app users shows this is not the case. Nearly half (46%) have spent money on these apps, with some spending up to £1,200 annually. Despite this investment, 55% feel neutral or lack confidence in speaking the language. Key barriers to confidence include limited practice opportunities, vocabulary constraints, fear of making mistakes, accent comprehension issues, and anxiety.
We focus on tackling these common pain points, ensuring students feel confident and ready for real-world conversations. We offer a proven methodology refined over 50 years, supported by AI tools but focused on real human connection.
Case Study: From Nervous Learner to Speech Therapist (in English)
Cecilia was a student at Wall Street English in Italy, initially studying English as part of her professional development as a speech-language therapist. When she first started learning, she was incredibly nervous about speaking, constantly worrying about making mistakes. Looking back at a video of herself from those early days of learning, she cringes at her early attempts, describing them as “awkward.” But everything changed when she stopped seeing conversations as tests and started viewing them as opportunities to practise. This mindset shift was crucial. She realised that focusing too much on mistakes was actually holding her back from enjoying conversations and improving her fluency.
Today, Cecilia has moved from Italy to London, where she now leads a speech therapy team in a school – a career path she never thought possible when she first began learning English at Wall Street English. From struggling with basic communication during her time as a student in Italy to confidently leading a professional team in the UK, her journey demonstrates how language learning can open up entirely new worlds, offering global career mobility.
The Power of Adaptability
In a move that sparked controversy, President Trump recently declared English the official language of the US—perhaps to curb the growing influence of bilingualism and the rise of ‘Spanglish’ in American culture. However, the English language’s dominance does not come from its linguistic rigidity; it thrives because of its adaptability, which evolves through cultural exchange and influence. Its adaptability is why it remains the world’s lingua franca, from diplomacy and elite education to business.
While a common language is essential in global business and diplomacy, it’s crucial to accommodate diversity in a multilingual world. As a native English speaker and enthusiastic, if imperfect, Spanish speaker, I find the developments in the U.S. problematic. Trump’s decision risks promoting a narrow mindset rather than celebrating the linguistic richness that makes English so widely spoken.
Take Spanglish as an example. It is the fastest-growing hybrid language variety in the world, spoken by an estimated 50 million people. Most English learners speak English with non-natives, so there is a role for English as a universal language, but one that is very tolerant of how it is used. The pliability and flexibility of the English language are essential and a key reason why it is also widely adopted.
Consider our own workplace at Wall Street English. Our headquarters are in Barcelona, which is home to 22 nationalities and 19 languages, making our workforce truly diverse. Each team member brings unique cultural perspectives that enrich communication, proving that English proficiency is not about perfection but about connection.
Looking to the Future
English will continue to be the language of global success and a bridge to opportunity for learners, educators, and global professionals. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the English language’s flexibility and openness to nuance are its true strength.
It continues to be shaped by the very people who use it. This diversity also shows that English proficiency is not always about perfection; otherwise, we would all be the same. It is about having the confidence to interact and communicate with people, especially in critical moments, like at a job interview, leadership meeting, or in the boardroom.
Short bio: Ivan Croxford is a seasoned marketing and leadership professional with extensive experience across tech and communications for companies such as BT and Pearson. In his current role as Vice President of Marketing at Wall Street English Ivan has introduced new martech platforms and processes to scale global marketing strategies across EMEA, LATAM and Asia.
