Why Should Professionals Learn A Foreign Language For Career Growth?

SYNOPSIS | As per an article published in a newspaper recently, around 40 per cent of Indians are upskilling themselves by taking up foreign language courses. The world has become a playground for people who are proficient in multiple languages. Read this article to know why professionals should be learning a foreign languages

Acquiring an additional skill is always on everyone’s bucket list. It is high time to tick “learning a foreign language” off that list. To have learnt or to be pursuing a foreign language course has become much more than a decorative statement on your resume. It is in fact an escalator that takes professionals to new heights of career growth. As the world becomes an interconnected family, the importance of effective communication is crucial for organisational and professional success. Globalisation has required us to be interconnected despite the language barriers. This has surely increased the need for professionals who have foreign language skills. We at Careers360 have found five reasons why every professional should sign up for foreign language courses.

Also Read: 20+ Foreign Language Courses to Pursue

Expanding Career Horizons

Whether you are in the hospitality, aviation, or tech industry or own a business, learning a foreign language opens a broad spectrum of career enhancement. Every tech giant or business is entering into partnerships with foreign clients. To fit in the landscapes of negotiations and discourse with international clients the knowledge of a foreign language becomes an asset. Foreign language skills introduce a pathway for businesses or managers who want to start building relationships in the international market.

Consider this: “Company A” is looking forward to hiring a project manager for a project where they are partnering with a Japanese company. While hiring, Company A comes across a candidate who has an MBA and speaks Japanese fluently. This candidate earns an added advantage of getting shortlisted as compared to others. The hiring executive will consider the candidate with foreign language skill as an asset who can work smoothly with their potential Japanese clients.

Also Read: Foreign Language Courses & Certifications Online

Cultural Knowledge:

Learning a foreign language is not an easy task. It starts from learning the alphabet, and pronunciation of basic words and goes on. The basics of a learning a foreign language course further spark curiosity. The learner discovers about the cultural background of the country as well. Being culturally aware of a foreign country is beneficial. A culturally sensitive employee can better understand the behaviour patterns of clients in the international market.

For instance, if an Indian company is signing a deal with a Korean company. An employee who knows Korean and has developed basic knowledge of Korean culture through literary texts and movies can tell you that “respect” is the most valued virtue in Korea. Imbibing this virtue in routine conversations with your partner company can boost better business relationships.

Also Read: Free Foreign Language Courses & Certifications

International Job Opportunities

Pursuing a foreign language course and having foreign language skills also open doors to international job markets. Indian professionals who are proficient in foreign languages have numerous job opportunities not only in India but also in the world. Proficient individuals can explore career opportunities globally, whether through overseas postings or remote work arrangements.

For instance, a software developer with proficiency in German may find opportunities with tech companies in any of the amazing German cities. This offers them not just career growth but presents an opportunity to earn in foreign currency.

Also Read: 7 Reasons Why You Should Learn A Foreign Language

Take A Career Break For Higher Education

Many students after working for a few years of their graduation want to pursue higher education at foreign universities. If the university is in an English-speaking country everything will go smoothly, yes if you are an English speaker. But in case you are applying for a university in a non-English speaking country like Spain or France, you have to be proficient in the host country language like Spanish or French. So learning a foreign language can help you settle much better than having no communication skills in the native language at all.

Beyond professional learning, learning a foreign language can be a deeply enriching personal experience. It exposes individuals to different cultures, broadens their horizons, and fosters a sense of global citizenship. Students who study abroad speak of experiencing personal growth as they navigate new cultures. In the process, they make friends from diverse backgrounds and adapt to different educational systems. These experiences not only enhance their personal lives but also make them more resilient, adaptable, and open-minded individuals.

Foreign Language Is A Brain Exercise

Learning a foreign language naturally stimulates multitasking in the brain as it juggles tasks like translating, speaking, and listening. This cognitive multitasking improves the functioning of the brain and forms new neural connections. Bilingual speakers excel at screening for essential information and filtering out noise, a skill valuable in areas from product development to technology. A multiple language skill in creative fields like design and marketing, where strategic thinking and multitasking across various disciplines are essential.