Ok, so I guess if you're teaching an ESL class (English as a Second Language) sometimes a student may come up to you after class when everyone else is gone and say, "I have a letter for you to read," and after you figure out that this is a letter for her that she doesn't understand, not a letter for you, you have just enough time to notice that it's from her doctor and it's her mammogram results before you feel your breath catch and you say to yourself, "Holy shit! don't let her have cancer! and maybe this is really selfish, but if she does, don't make me have to tell her about it, 'cause this is only my second day as an actual teacher, and i didn't sign up for this, I'm just here to teach her how to fill out a job application and maybe open a checking account, I don't know if she even knows what cancer is, how the hell am I going to explain that?! I was just showing her when to capitalize 'city' (as in 'New York City') and when not to, and I SURE AS HELL didn't sign up for telling this lady about a 'suspect growth' or a 'spot on the x-ray' or even an 'uncertainty that will require a follow-up visit'," all before you can actually read it and explain to her that she's just fine and try to remember that your scare was only momentary; her's lasted from before she opened the letter until that moment.

English skills are crucial to surviving in this environment. This, among other reasons, is why I do what I do.