Figure 1: Studying English means you can go into book publishing, television or film–or even turning books into movies and TV shows.
Students who struggle in English can often wonder what is the point of studying Shakespeare. And if you enjoy or are good at English in school, you may be wondering: what next? Science and maths often have clear career paths to follow, like studying medicine or computer science. But English skills, practised on texts that are several centuries old, can seem only applicable to exams. Whether you are looking to continue focusing on English or questioning why anyone would choose that path, here are some ways that people use skills from the English language and literature beyond school.
Academia
Why do people study English beyond school? At the university level and beyond there are many people who choose to study English in academia, doing comprehension, linguistic studies, and creative writing for a living. For many, it is an opportunity to study what they love. It might be works of classic literature that they loved in school. Or it could be something not studied in school–modern romance or science fiction, for example–that they believe deserves the same attention as Shakespeare or Dickens.
English is a controversial field, with the number of students enrolling in English courses declining. But English has an important role in academia. Scholars of English literature help interpret the media we consume on a daily basis. How do gender-blind castings at the Globe comment on gender roles in Shakespeare’s plays? How do shows like Rings of Power or House of the Dragon change medieval literary tropes to reflect modern attitudes? Such analyses help us to understand what ideas we might be absorbing without even knowing it, as well as help with the development of new media in the future.
Careers
English is useful outside of academia as well. English is a key skill which is valuable to any number of careers: almost every business will need someone who is able to read and write well. Science and technology companies often need to translate findings into a language ordinary people can understand. Businesses need persuasive writers to help with marketing. Solicitors depend on the ability to read detailed documents accurately.
Certain careers are particularly attractive for students who enjoy English. Writers may enjoy journalism and related careers, such as public relations for companies and organisations. Avid readers can go into book publishing, as editors, agents, writers, or publicists. Other areas of media–television, video games, advertising–also rely on people who know how to tell a good story. Last, but not least, teaching is an excellent way to share a love of the English language and literature and raise future generations of thinkers and dreamers.
Comprehension
Even if you choose a different career, there are many ways that the English language and literature can be useful in your everyday life. Comprehension–reading accurately for implicit and explicit detail–is a particularly important skill. As an adult, it is crucial to have a good understanding of documents like credit card agreements, tenancy agreements, and contracts of employment. Comprehension questions on exams test your ability to pick out important pieces of information, just as you will need to pick out the basic terms of an agreement as well as those that are most relevant to you. Understanding detail and nuance can help you make the right decisions in adulthood.
Comprehension is important even beyond these key documents. Whether reading new stories, watching YouTube videos, or skimming posts on social media, you are being asked to understand and interpret texts. Critical thinking skills developed in English classes help you determine whether something is true or false, what kind of purpose or bias the creator might have, and why the content is relevant to your life. These skills make media safe, informative, and fun.
Communication
Just as reading skills have an important role in everyday life, so does writing. Every field and career path requires good writers, but whether or not you are hired specifically to write, you will be expected to have strong writing skills. You will have to submit a clearly written resume and cover letter for most jobs and communications with fellow workers, clients, and associates will often be by email. Knowing how to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively will help you get ahead–as well as being able to spot and correct spelling and grammatical errors.
Outside of work, writing well opens up lots of ways to communicate. Whether you are simply trying to keep in touch with distant family members or building your support network among peers and professionals, a well-written email is a good way to reach out to people whom you only sort of know. Good grammar and vocabulary make you seem smarter and more professional; a clear statement of purpose makes your email worth reading. If you are aiming for a broader audience–perhaps for a call to change in your community or an important life announcement–skilful writing makes your social media post stand out, adding to its interest and credibility. Practising your writing skills in English class can help you make your mark as you grow older.
Creativity
In addition to reading and writing, studying English helps you develop your creative skills, building your ability to imagine and express ideas through words. Such creativity is important in many different kinds of writing and media output. You might consider how a TikTok video is funny or what makes a show moving or sad. These kinds of thinking help you develop your own content on social media, at work, or at home.
Whichever media you choose, including words, images, or sounds, online or in-person, fostering creativity is great for making social connections and improving your own well-being. Storytelling in a wide variety of forms has been a part of social interactions for all of human existence. Poetry and similar media, shared or kept to yourself, is a valuable method of examining your emotions and expressing them. Being creative in a mindful way is a great way to express your identity for yourself and others.
At work or in our free time, we are constantly consuming media. English language and literature skills like comprehension and critical thinking are crucial for understanding the world around us. Creativity and the ability to communicate clearly are equally important for responding, whether in emails, social media posts, or personal forms of expression. There are many career paths that draw on English skills–from academic research to law to publishing–but even without pursuing an English-related career, it is important to develop strong skills in English for everyday life.
