For professionals climbing the career ladder, soft skills are just as important (if not more) than hard skills. Business English, in particular, is a big deal regardless of your field. It helps maintain strong relationships, ace presentations, and stand out in meetings. Around 80% of ESL (English as a second language) speakers also believe English skills are the key to higher pay.
It doesn’t end there! Language ability impacts everything from your daily team interactions to your chances of landing that dream promotion. In this article, you’ll learn:
Ready to learn how better English skills can boost your career? Let’s get started!
What Is English Language Proficiency?
English language proficiency (ELP) is how well you understand, speak, read, and write in English. It’s measured across five key levels based on your ability to:
Follow conversations and understand instructions (listening)
Share ideas and participate in discussions (speaking)
Understand written documents and emails (reading)
Write clear messages and reports (writing)
The higher your English proficiency level, the easier it is to communicate effectively in various situations, from water cooler chats to board presentations.
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What Are the 5 Levels of English Language Proficiency?
The five levels of English language proficiency vary depending on which standard you’re looking at. Different countries and organizations use different systems, the most common being:
ACTFL (American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages): Common in the United States
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference): Used in Europe and many countries worldwide
ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable): Used by U.S. government agencies
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Popular for academic and professional certification
But don’t worry about fancy names! What matters is understanding what you can do at each level. Generally speaking, here’s what English learners can expect at each English level:
English Proficiency Level (ACTFL) | General Skills | CEFR | ILR | IELTS |
Novice/Beginner | Say basic greetings and use familiar everyday expressions plus common phrases. | A1 | 0 | 1-2 |
Intermediate | Have simple conversations and understand basic instructions. | A2 | 1-2 | 3-4 |
Advanced | Express ideas fluently, without much obvious searching. | B1-B2 | 3-4 | 5-6 |
Superior | Handle any professional situation (e.g., presentations, negotiations) with ease and accuracy. | C1 | 4+ | 7-8 |
Distinguished | Easily understand anything heard or read. | C2 | 5 | 9 |
Why Better English Means Better Career Opportunities
Now we know the answers to “What is English language proficiency?” and “What are the 5 levels of English language proficiency?”, let’s answer the million-dollar question: “How will better English help your career?”
Expand Your Professional Network
When securing a job or climbing the career ladder, connections are often more valuable than technical skills alone. English language learners with high proficiency levels can build stronger professional relationships globally and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Better English skills allow you to:
Make new work friends at work or events
Connect with people from different countries in person and over social media
Share ideas in global team meetings
Join professional groups worldwide
Build relationships with colleagues across borders
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Tap Into Global Markets
English is the language of international business. Strong English proficiency gives you the ability to work anywhere by helping you:
Communicate with clients, suppliers, and partners worldwide
Share your ideas with international managers
Move to different office locations if you want
Apply for jobs in other countries
Access More Career Opportunities
A bigger market means more opportunities. With improved English language proficiency, you can enjoy:
Better positions in international teams
More chances to lead global projects
Access to specialized roles that require English
Tip: Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your English level (like "Fluent" or "Advanced Business English") to stand out to employers.
Boost Your Earning Potential
Around half of employers offer better compensation to applicants with strong English language proficiency. These applicants also tend to move faster through job grades than their peers, especially in non-English-speaking countries.
Why? The global economy demands people who can talk to international clients and teams. If you can communicate well in English, employers will simply pay you more.
Access World-Class Resources
So much of the best training, research, and professional development material is only available in English. When you improve your English language proficiency, you can access these materials to help you stay ahead in your field:
Latest industry research and trends
Courses and certifications
Books and articles
International webinars and workshops
Videos and podcasts
There’s no limit to how much you can upgrade your skills!
→ Learn more: How Language Proficiency Can Shape Your Career
Improve Your English Language Proficiency with Talaera
Don't let language hold you back from reaching your career goals! We know mastering business English can feel overwhelming, but that's why we're here. At Talaera, we make improving English language proficiency easy with:
One-on-one lessons that fit your schedule
Friendly instructors who understand your industry
Flexible online sessions that fit your schedule
Personalized lessons and quizzes focused on your real work situations
Weekly English conversation practice
And more!
Join thousands of professionals who've boosted their careers with Talaera's personalized English training. Sign up today to start learning for free!
