Some of the most prestigious math and science journals, including "Annals of Mathematics," "Nature" and "Science," are written in English. These journals are more widely cited by scholars than similar journals. Many respected journals are translated into other languages, but the earliest -- and most accurate -- account of the author's words is always in English. For math students, having access to newly developed proofs and theorems can make the difference when giving presentations at math conferences and competitions. In college science courses, access to the latest information can mean the difference between a good student and a great student. This constitutes a considerable academic advantage to learning math and science in English.
Three categories of skills can make all the difference in a career: math, science and English. Math skills give students the ability to learn advanced subjects in science (like physics and chemistry). Science skills give graduates access to high-paying fields like engineering, pharmacy and medicine. English skills give workers the ability to work in countries with high salaries like the United States, Canada and the UK. The advantage of learning math and science in English is that it trains students in valuable skills in a far-reaching language, preparing them to enter the workplace with both.
Learning science in English can give students access to mentors and partners they would not otherwise meet. A lot of the world's top research universities -- including Harvard, Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- are in the United States, and have classes taught in English. Being taught scientific terms and phrases in English makes it possible to converse on the subject with students and professors affiliated with these leading institutions, which can give you access to networking opportunities that would not be available had you learned math and science in another language.
Many of the leading math and science awards, grants and scholarships are given for students to attend English-speaking schools. These awards -- including the Arthur Holly Compton Fellowship Program (math), Intel Talent Search (math and science) and the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement (science) -- are valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. While students need not have learned science in English to win these awards, the selection committees for them are primarily English speaking and the awards are for schools in the U.S., so learning science in English is a practical pre-requisite for young math and science students who wish to compete for these awards.