- Business Fluency
- Posts
- Study English Seriously and Good Things Will Happen
Study English Seriously and Good Things Will Happen
How English opens doors you didn't know existed
Iain Shirlaw
July 16, 2025
Welcome to Business Fluency - your weekly guide to mastering business English and accelerating your career.
In today’s newsletter:
Study English Seriously and Good Things Will Happen
Quote of the day: Ali Abdaal - YouTuber, Author & Productivity Expert
We value your feedback - Your opinion helps us improve
Word of the day:
Poll: Your future?
Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you
Study English Seriously and Good Things Will Happen
How English opens doors you didn't know existed
"If you publish about once a week, for 1–2 years your life will change. Often in ways you can't imagine." - Ali Abdaal
Famous YouTuber and productivity guru Ali Abdaal says this about running a YouTube channel. I can't comment on that, but I do think it's absolutely true for learning English.
Depending on your starting level, you may need more or less time, but the core message remains the same: consistent, serious effort creates opportunities you never saw coming.
The English Multiplier Effect
It gives me immense pleasure to watch my students succeed - not just in English, but in life. What strikes me most is how English doesn't just improve their language skills; it becomes a multiplier for everything else they do.
Here are three real examples from my students, past and present.
A Lifelong Dream Becomes Reality
One of my students serves in the military and had always dreamed of an international posting. After years of dedicated English study and successfully passing the required English exams, that dream became reality - a four-year secondment with his family to San Diego.
Is this opportunity entirely due to his English? Certainly not - his military expertise and leadership skills were essential. But could he have achieved this posting without English? Absolutely not. He wouldn't have even been considered without passing the military English exam.
The English requirements weren't optional; they were the gateway. But the impact goes far beyond his career. His teenage children have spent four years in American schools, immersing themselves in English and gaining experiences that will shape their futures. He's returning this summer after a transformative experience for the entire family.
English didn't just open a career door - it transformed his family's entire trajectory.
The Self-Funding Student
One of my university students recently passed her C1 Advanced exam - a wonderful achievement that opened an unexpected door.
She now teaches English part-time while continuing her studies. Her teaching income more than covers her ongoing English lessons as she works towards Proficiency certification.
This creates what I call the "English flywheel" - her improved English skills generate income, which funds further improvement, which creates more opportunities. She's building the language foundation for her future career while her current English level pays the bills.
The Teenage Entrepreneur
One of my Advanced students runs a profitable YouTube channel - while still at school. His English-language content means he practices English almost daily, but the benefits go far beyond language learning.
He's actively learning business, marketing, and self-promotion. He's building an international audience and developing skills that will serve him regardless of his future career path. He's living proof of both Ali Abdaal's original quote and my adapted version:
"Learn English seriously and your life will change. Often in ways you can't imagine."
The Compound Effect of Serious Study
Notice the pattern? Each student committed to serious, consistent English study. While the military student did aim for an international posting, none of them could have predicted their specific outcomes - the teaching income, the profitable YouTube channel, or the four-year family adventure in San Diego. They committed to English improvement and discovered opportunities along the way.
But when you study English seriously - really seriously - you don't just learn grammar and vocabulary. You develop the confidence to take on challenges you previously avoided. You access opportunities that were invisible before. You become the kind of person who can seize chances when they arise.
The question isn't whether good things will happen when you commit to serious English study. The question is: what good things will happen to you?
Quote of the Day: Ali Abdaal
"If you publish about once a week, for 1–2 years your life will change. Often in ways you can't imagine."
We Value Your Feedback!
Your opinion helps us improve and lets you suggest topics or ask Business English questions for future issues.
How did you find this week’s newsletter? |
Word of the day: Trajectory
Trajectory - noun - the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces; a chosen or taken path or progression
His career trajectory changed dramatically after improving his English skills.
Literal Meaning: Trajectory comes from the Latin "trajectus," meaning "thrown across." Originally a physics term describing the curved path of a projectile through space, it has evolved to describe any path of development or progress over time.
Business English Context: In professional settings, "trajectory" is used to discuss career progression, business growth, and strategic planning. It implies direction and momentum, suggesting that current actions influence future outcomes. It's particularly valuable for describing long-term professional development and company growth patterns.
Common Business Collocations:
Career trajectory - professional development path over time
Growth trajectory - pattern of business or revenue growth
Upward trajectory - positive progression or improvement
Change trajectory - alter the direction of progress
Track trajectory - monitor development or progress
Steep trajectory - rapid advancement or growth
Long-term trajectory - extended progression or development path
Professional Applications:
Performance reviews: "Your career trajectory shows consistent advancement" (= professional growth pattern)
Strategic planning: "We need to adjust our growth trajectory for next quarter" (= change business development path)
Mentoring: "Learning English could significantly impact your career trajectory" (= influence professional development direction)
Poll: Your Future?
Where do you see your English taking you in the next 5 years? |
Whenever you are ready, here is how I can help you:
We provide Business English lessons and Cambridge and IELTS preparation courses.
You can book a free 20-minute consultation with Iain over Zoom here:
Why not subscribe to our sister Financial Fluency newsletter for English students interested in learning about the financial markets and investing?
Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The information contained herein is generic and does not take into account your individual financial circumstances. You should always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions.
Additionally, the authors and/or publishers of this newsletter may hold investments in securities or other financial instruments mentioned herein. These are included for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell such securities or financial instruments.