A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Individual Investment in English Language Education for Ethnic Minorities in Yanbian

Abstract

As a cross-discipline between linguistics and economics, the Economics of Language has been widely discussed by scholars both at home and abroad in recent years as economic globalization advances. Among them, English, as the most widely spoken language in the world, is involved in many economic activities of human beings. The location disadvantage of inland minority regions makes their average English education level low. Therefore, this study analyzes the costs and benefits of individual English education investment based on the Economics of Language and human capital investment theory, using questionnaire survey method and cost-benefit analysis method in economics, and taking English majors of Yanbian minority as the research object. The results of the study show that the benefits of personal investment in foreign language education of English majors in Yanbian minority areas outweigh the costs, and it is also an effective economic investment behavior. The results of this study can also provide an empirical basis for the formulation of policies on English education and economic development in ethnic minority regions. And to a certain extent, they can contribute to the economic development of ethnic minority regions, promote foreign communication and provide some help for regional language policies.