It's probably not very obvious but there are some surprising benefits when it comes to learning English. The most common and obvious one is of course the ability to communicate in English. But I think there are also some hidden benefits many people often forget. Some of these are: gaining new knowledge in other fields, gaining a new perspective, and exposure to different cultures.

New Knowledge In Other Fields

Apart from the usual listening, speaking, writing and reading, I think the most profound benefit you will acquire is the access to a vast amount of information. This basically means having access to knowledge on a wide range of subjects. According to Wikipedia, around 60% of the content on the internet is in English. It is by far the most popular content language for websites. Compared to Russian (8.5%) in second place and Spanish (3.9%) in third place, it is clear which language is the winner. This puts English speakers at a massive advantage. Whether it's news or health information, knowing English gives you access to this great resource of knowledge. One could argue that English speakers have more opportunities to learn different things compared to non-English speakers. 

Gaining A New Perspective

Learning a new language changes your perspectives. English is no exception. For non-English speakers, when you learn English, not only do you need to learn grammar and vocabulary, you also need to adopt a new way of thinking, a new way of looking at things. Sometimes your personality could also change. For example, when I speak Japanese I feel I become very polite. This is probably because of the way Japanese people speak (usually more reserved and polite) as well as the frequent use of honorific speech/Keigo. When I speak English, I am usually more casual and straightforward. I think this difference also influences one's personality. Of course different people may feel differently, but I think there is definitely a certain perspective that goes with a language.

Exposure To Different Cultures 

Since English is the language most people speak in the world, it definitely helps you understand different cultures better and how they approach things because you have the opportunity to speak with people from many different backgrounds (including both native English speakers and non-native English speakers). You get to experience what other cultures experience. The most obvious example is travelling. And if you're an outgoing person, you may even make new friends and participate in activities with people from various cultures and backgrounds. These experiences could potentially be life-changing.

These are some of the benefits learning English gives you. But I think this applies to learning any new language too, it opens up doors for you in many other areas. So next time when you feel a little demotivated about learning English, perhaps it may help to remind yourself of these benefits. 

What other benefits can you think of when it comes to learning English (or other languages)?