Many people study English for very different reasons. Some genuinely enjoy the language itself. They are fascinated by pronunciation, vocabulary, or cultural differences expressed through language. For such people, learning English is a goal in itself. Others, however, study English as a tool for something else. They use English to access knowledge, communicate internationally, or broaden their professional opportunities. I belong to the latter group.
To be honest, I disliked English when I was a student. I found memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules tedious, and I could not understand why I had to spend so much time studying a foreign language. Therefore, I approached English simply as a subject necessary for entrance examinations. Because of that, I never considered myself “good at languages.”
Even today, I am not particularly interested in languages themselves. I do not have a strong desire to learn French, Spanish, Chinese, or any other foreign language. My interest lies not in language itself, but in the knowledge and perspectives that language can provide access to.
For me, English is primarily a means of learning. Through English, I can read books and articles written by scholars, business leaders, economists, and researchers from around the world. I can access information much earlier and in much greater quantity than if I relied only on Japanese sources. In fields such as business, finance, economics, English often functions as the global standard.
Some people may think this attitude toward English sounds cold or mechanical. However, I do not think so. Even if English is merely a tool for me, it has greatly enriched my life. Through English, I have encountered new ideas, different values, and perspectives that I would never have discovered otherwise. In that sense, English is not simply a language. It is a gateway to a much wider world.
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