Being able to understand and speak different languages will not only bring you to many places but to various milestones in life.
One of the biggest, if not the biggest, barriers between individuals coming from different nations is language. Because humans naturally and directly communicate with each other through words, there has to be a mutual tongue that connects them. It doesn’t merely end there though since there has to be familiarity and skill in speaking the language. When two people have two different dialects, similarly unknown to each other, it’s difficult or almost impossible to interact. This is the main reason why learning foreign languages is highly advantageous and not just ‘to show off’ as some people think.
Beyond that, when you know one or more languages besides your own native speech, you have an edge in many ways, especially in any field of work. More than simply having the ability to comprehend what foreigners are talking about without needing subtitles below the screen, the knowledge of foreign languages can absolutely benefit your career! How? You better keep reading!
1 – PAVES WAY FOR MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
In this day and age, many companies are looking to hire employees who know other languages aside from the country’s very own or aside from the company’s main language.
This means when you are qualified in this sense, you can easily find open doors of job opportunities. It puts you on a higher ground compared to applicants who don’t know a second language (or further).
The search opportunities will be wider for you, chiefly when you are eyeing on a company that works with foreign clients, customers, investors, suppliers, workers and more. Some industries that hugely need the foreign language knowledge include tourism and travel, media and film, education, and health services.
On the other hand, although being a translator, an interpreter or a foreign affairs staff may not be the job you are actually applying for in a certain company, these can be other designations you may receive in the future. Of course, recruitment officers will prefer to select those who can do their exact job while ready and able to perform efficiently in other tasks too. It’s added work, thus, it’s also added windows of profit and career growth!
2 – MAKES YOU A CUT ABOVE THE REST OF YOUR COMPETITORS
When you get interviewed for a job application, you are not only competing with yourself but, most obviously, with other fellow applicants too. These people are alike to you, needing a stable job that will help them earn a living, so they are also doing their best to win.
Now, what you need is to stand out and to shine above them all. The ability to grasp and speak a foreign tongue will enable you to do that! Even when other candidates come with competence similar to yours, the knowledge of foreign languages can actually make you a cut above the rest!
3 – ENTITLES YOU TO HIGHER WAGES
Just like what was mentioned before, there can be more profit when you are able to speak a foreign language as you work.
This is not any simple ability but a hard-earned expertise. You know how extremely challenging it is to fully learn to speak other languages; it may take years to be fluent in just one. As employees who have this proficiency are typically rare gems, they deserve higher wages.
Moreover, if it is not your main job, but a foreign-language-related task is given to you because your boss knows you are skillful in it, you deserve a raise.
4 – EXPANDS AND DEVELOPS YOUR CAREER
You can expand your career with a vast knowledge of foreign languages. Since a lot of companies also need to expand their businesses globally, multilingual employees are sought-after. Again, this is very beneficial so that even when this is not your actual job, you can explore other departments and industries that the company has or caters to. This equates to developing your career and personal abilities as well.
5 – BUILDS RELEVANT RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORKS
Foreign languages won’t just put you in business; they will allow you to build personal networks as well. Though they can still be linked to future business references and loyalties, you can personally gain a lot from meeting people from various races, countries and languages.
Regardless of the type of business you are in, being able to confidently and comfortably speak with foreigners involved in the company’s undertakings forms a good professional bond which greatly helps all parties.
More significantly, this gives you more abundant awareness about others’ cultures, so eventually you learn to appreciate them more too. This will aid you as you make more business connections locally and internationally. You can gain new international friends that last even after a business contract.
6 – QUALIFIES YOU FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES
When you are targeting to enter an international company, skills in speaking the foreign language they require is very crucial.
Many of these global companies broadly extend their onboarding quest all over the world by hiring aspirants who can harmoniously intercommunicate with other people speaking foreign languages. When you want to be an international employee, this is definitely a golden leverage!
Don’t ignore the fact that if an international company is your aim, most likely, you need to be fluent. Take note that the universal language is very important to learn. If English is neither your main tongue nor your second language, it would be important to go for a complete English tutoring program. Of course, practicing it daily is key.
For other languages such as German, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and others which are common in the scene of international businesses, similarly, it will be necessary to take expert tutorial classes for them. Don’t expect the journey to be easy, but be patient and always practice, and you will succeed!
7 – ALLOWS TRAVELING WHILE WORKING
To travel and to work. To travel and work. Together or not, it’s a dream for many.
When you know foreign languages, you can travel to so many countries across the world because of your work that could be (but doesn’t have to be) related to languages. It would not be very challenging because the barriers will be put down.
As your job opportunities increase, the possibilities for you to reach various countries while searching for more chances and while doing your main job also heighten. You can enjoy the magnificence of the world whilst earning for the present and for the future!
8 – BOOSTS YOUR BRAIN IN DIVERSE WAYS
Multilingual people are smart thinkers. Learning a new language requires discipline and concentration in many different ways. At the same time, at some points, you will have to get immersed in the cultures they belong to, so you can better relate and understand the languages.
Memory is enhanced. Focus is strengthened. Thinking processes become more flexible. The capacity and the willingness to explore and discover more information are boosted.
Definitely, learning a foreign language sharpens the mind. It develops personal qualities that make you think and execute work more effectively as necessary.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR CAREERS
Skills on foreign languages don’t just enable one to pronounce words and remember their meanings. They also drive one to unravel deeper things related to culture, histories, lifestyles and connections which can all improve one’s knowledge about the world and the things in it.
The successful aftermath of striving hard to understand, speak and write letters and words from what’s alien to yourself in the first place is going to be fruitful. It can bring your career an awesome head start, a worthwhile learning process and a rewarding bunch of results. If you want to learn a foreign language now, don’t hesitate!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. She finds quality and well-researched writing as a worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. For her, it’s restoring and fulfilling to the heart and a great way to clear the mind while loading it up with fresh learning. Film critiquing and filmmaking are among her interests too. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
