Nowadays, the world is a global village, and the interaction between different cultures continue to increase. Companies are also extending to foreign lands, where people may be using a language different from their mother country. Now is the best time to learn a second language, given that it will increase your career opportunities. Companies that widen their reach around the world are always looking for candidates who can easily bond with foreign cultures and increase the chances of the company’s survival in the new lands. Knowing multiple dialects makes you a global employee, as you can work anywhere without the language barrier challenge.
Most Demanded Languages
According to the New American Economy Organization, the demand for bilingual workers in the United States went more than double in the past five years. Companies prefer candidates that can help them open doors in foreign markets. The more tongued one speaks, the higher the chance of growing in their career. Not all dialects have a lot of influence in the world, meaning you have to be wise when selecting if you want the dialect to be of help in the future. The best language to study is the language with a high number of speakers. One can also consider dialect from a region with a lot of influence in the business world. Here are some of the main dialects to consider if you are interested in learning a new language.
English
Currently, English is the most preferred language in international business. Most people around the world can speak English, making it the most preferred language internationally. Most international conferences and business exhibitions are also conducted in English, hence making it a significant language in business. English is widely used in Europe and America, plus most of the commonwealth countries have most of the citizens speaking English as their first or second language. It would be best if you also had a good understanding of English in academia and personal business research, since most books and internet pages come in this language.
French
With a total of 29 countries using French as the official language and spoken by more than 220 million people, French is also another language that you cannot ignore. French is a Major language in Western Europe, and is also widely used by former colonies of France in Africa—mostly West and Central Africa countries. Some international organizations such as NATO, FIFA, UN, and UNESCO consider French as a working language, plus it is also one of the procedural languages in the European Union. The Fashion industry has also borrowed a lot from France, and learning this language can be of benefit if you are in this line of business.
Spanish
Going with numbers, Spanish is also among the top widely spoken language. More than 300 million people speak Spanish as their native language, mostly in Spain and North American counties. The major use of this language is in tourism, since most of the Spanish-speaking countries have beautiful attraction sites. This language is also used as an official language in a lot of international organizations and the medical field. If you are in the US or plan to move to America, learning Spanish can be of great benefit, as it is the second most common language in America.
German
German is a widely used language in Europe, with an average of 100 million native speakers. Apart from the numbers, you can choose to learn German as a second language, given that the German economy is the largest in Europe and number four in the world. German will best work for you in careers such as engineering, literature, finance, and science.
Mandarin
Mandarin is a widely spoken language in Asia with the native countries being China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Mongolia. China is the reason you should learn Mandarin. China continues to strengthen its stand as one of the largest economies in the world and also boasts of a very large population. Its population alone account to 14% of the world’s population, meaning it is a country to consider business wise. China also attracts a lot of foreign companies due to the availability of labor and its position as one of the leading economies in manufacturing and construction.
The Best Language Choice for Your Field
If your main reason for learning a foreign language is to improve your career, then you should choose a language that is most needed in that field.
Below are some examples of careers and the best language to choose from.
- Military: The military always requires a linguist for military intelligence and their foreign military base. The language you choose when working in the military should be determined with the foreign countries where your government has sent its troops.
- Non-profit: The non-profit world is vast, and almost any language can help. The language choice depends on where the company serves. Most companies working in the USA can prefer Spanish speakers. Those in Africa can choose French and English speakers.
- Engineering: The major Engineering countries include Germany, Russia, and China and understanding their native languages and English can be a plus in your job.
