This study, by Dr Simon Borg of the University of Leeds, assesses the impact that studying English has on students’ lives.

Interviews were conducted with 47 British Council students in Muscat, Cairo, Rome, Madrid, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City. The findings suggest that learning English has a positive impact on a wide range of issues:

• Employment prospects, performance and promotion
• Access to education and professional development
• Use of technology
• Leisure activities
• Intercultural communication
• Intercultural understanding
• Confidence
• Attitudes towards English and the UK
• Access to information
• Service encounters
• Citizenship

The study thus provides clear evidence of the varied ways in which students feel that improving their command of English makes a significant contribution to their lives.

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