What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term English Language Arts (ELA)? Chances are you remember a book you enjoyed reading or your first oral presentation. The skills learned through ELA are not only independently important. They are also necessary for success in other areas of study, as well as life beyond school.
Three Reasons Why Every Student Needs English Language Arts
Typically, the term language arts includes four areas of study: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. While each of these is a distinct, individual category, language arts is more than research papers and The Great Gatsby. That’s only the beginning.
ELA is Necessary to Meet AcademicStandards
Expectations for the end of the school year include progression and proficiency in a number of areas related to and including ELA. Beginning with phonics instruction in the elementary grades, and proceeding to complex technical concepts in later grades, the mastery of language arts is necessary to meet academic standards.
Both fluency and reading comprehension are critical to understanding nearly everything that is taught. Students are expected to speak, write, and communicate what they have learned. This carries over into all content areas—they must be able to effectively useEnglish language arts skills to absorb content from other subjects and express their knowledge of those subjects.
ELA is Essential in Professional Areas of Study
Proficiency in the four components of ELA is not only a necessary component of every subject. It’s also an essential element in nearly every profession. Communication skills are essential for every career field, as STEM professionals often cite good communication skills as a necessary prerequisite when hiring.
Nearly every professional, from accountants and lawyers to engineers and doctors, needs to be proficient in English language arts to be successful in their field.
ELA is Crucial for Life Beyond School
Once the stages of learning to read are complete, students can transition into reading to learn. This puts them in a place in which learning can expand exponentially. English language arts enables students to think more critically, and even abstractly, about the information there are receiving—what does Gatsby’s green light across the water really mean? That type of critical thinking, coupled with communication during class discussion or in an essay, teaches valuable life skills your students will carry with them after graduation.
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Make English Language Arts Engaging and Fun
ELA continues to be an essential aspect of every curriculum and each individual student’s educational process. Teaching English language arts as distinct and specific classes is critically important to learn specific writing, reading, and listening skills. Butit’s also necessary for student success to take an interdisciplinary approach and apply these valuable ELA skills to other subjects.
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FAQs
So, Why Is ELA Important? Overall, English Language Arts are vital for individuals to be able to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively. It is an essential skill for success in many academic disciplines like history, philosophy, and the sciences.
What is the importance of English language arts? ›
The importance of language arts
English language arts is an umbrella term for the skills needed in written and spoken English. It includes reading comprehension, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and speaking, which are crucial for communication and education.
What is the purpose of teaching English language arts? ›
We define the core purpose of teaching English language arts as developing in human beings the ability to use a wide repertoire of tools for communicating one's own ideas, experiences, and perspectives, and for receiving, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating the communication of others.
Why is English language learning important? ›
It is the language of science, aviation, computers, diplomacy and tourism. Last but not least, it is the language of international communication, the media and the internet. Whether it is for professional or personal reasons, understanding the importance of English will help you reach your goals.
What do students learn in English language arts? ›
In English Language Arts (ELA) students learn to become effective readers and writers. Teachers use a balance of complex fiction and non-fiction texts in the classroom and teach reading, writing, vocabulary and discussion with an emphasis on using details and evidence from the text.
How can ela help you in life? ›
Expertise in English literature can help with further studies and career advancement in the following ways:
- Learn to analyze and interpret different types of texts.
- Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- Express ideas clearly and effectively in writing.
Being able to effectively communicate through writing, speaking, and visual representation, and being able to process information through reading, listening, and viewing are valuable skills that can be utilized in one's occupation, daily life, and even relationships with others.
What are the goals of English Language Arts? ›
In English Language Arts, students apply their understanding of language and the writing process to develop organized and coherent responses to literature, synthesize information, develop arguments for a variety of purposes, describe situations or events, and express their personal ideas.
What is a purpose in language arts? ›
An author's purpose is his reason for or intent in writing. An author's purpose may be to amuse the reader, to persuade the reader, to inform the reader, or to satirize a condition.
Why is it important to teach English language? ›
The importance of English language teaching lies in its role in today's globalized world and the need for effective communication. English language teaching is important for scientific discourse, international commerce, inter-state business, trade, communication, and cultural appreciation through literature.
How learning English can boost your life goals
- You will get more job opportunities 👔 ...
- You can work for any international company 💼 ...
- It will rewire your brain 🧠 ...
- You can communicate with (almost) anyone in the world 🌎 ...
- Improves your first language abilities 🗣️ ...
- You can watch movies and shows in their original language 🎥
Benefits of ESL Education
Beyond language acquisition and greater academic success, ESL education helps students develop vital social and cultural skills by engaging them in meaningful cultural exploration. ELLs may learn about US holidays, their historical significance, and the traditions associated with them.
Why is English language and literacy important? ›
Language and literacy are of personal, social and economic importance. Our ability to use language lies at the centre of the development and expression of our emotions, our thinking, our learning and our sense of personal identity.
Why is it important to learn English language arts? ›
The skills and knowledge captured in the English Language Arts are designed to prepare students for life outside the classroom. They help develop 21st century skills: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical thinking, which are needed for global success in the future life and career.
Why is ela the most important subject? ›
ELA is Necessary to Meet Academic Standards
Students are expected to speak, write, and communicate what they have learned. This carries over into all content areas—they must be able to effectively use English language arts skills to absorb content from other subjects and express their knowledge of those subjects.
How does English language help students? ›
English language learning will allow you to communicate effectively with people from all over the world, making travelling a lot easier and helping you to learn more about different cultures. The importance of English language can be seen in almost every aspect of our lives.
Why is the English language important in the world? ›
English is used as a mother tongue by approximately 400 million people in many countries around the world. Therefore, English is the 3rd most spoken language after Chinese and Spanish. Therefore, worldwide participation in exams such as IELTS is quite high.
Why English language has a lot of importance? ›
English is the language of science, aviation, computers, diplomacy, and tourism. Knowing English increases your chances of getting a good job in a multinational company within your home country or of finding work abroad.
What is the importance of English language in profession? ›
Importance of English in a Successful Career
Being a universal language, it helps you in communicating with others with fluency and confidence. Along with this, it gives you an edge over your competitors and helps you in growing in your career.
What is the importance of English majors? ›
Majoring in English lets you:
Develop your abilities as a reader and interpreter of literature. Understand the role of critical perspective in any analytical situation. Enhance your pleasure in the enjoyment of literature. Improve your abilities as a writer and editor.
