Cover Being able to speak multiple languages is a useful skill and opens up opportunities everywhere (Photo: iStock)
Being able to speak multiple languages is a useful skill and opens up opportunities everywhere (Photo: iStock)
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Learning a second useful language is beneficial in an increasingly globalised world
Being able to communicate in another language is an invaluable skill that expands one’s work, study and travel horizons, but are some languages more valuable than others?
The answer largely depends on one’s industry, and where you wish to live, work or do business. However in terms of hireability—and assuming you already speak English, the world’s lingua franca—certain languages could be more useful.
With more than 1.2 billion speakers globally, Mandarin is the world’s second most widely spoken language (and first, if only native speakers are counted). Being able to communicate in Mandarin opens up opportunities across mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore and even the USA and Europe, as multinational companies seek Mandarin-speaking candidates to boost their linguistic and cultural links to this surging economic superpower.
And while English is mandatory in Chinese schools, proficiency levels remain low, so foreigners looking to do business in China have a significant advantage if they can communicate with locals in their own language.
Read more: School of Concepts founder Mint Lim envisions a world that leaves no child behind
Above Mandarin is the world's second most widely spoken language (Photo: Getty Images)
Mandarin is the world's second most widely spoken language (Photo: Getty Images)
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In Europe, knowing any of the traditional “romance languages”—French, Italian and Spanish—is still beneficial. French is an official language of the United Nations and NATO, so if your ambitions lie in NGOs or diplomacy, for example, it is a great choice. Bloomberg puts French second on its list of most useful languages for business too.
In numbers terms, Spanish is far and away the most widespread of the three. It’s the official language of more than 20 countries, and the second language of the United States. In a way, however, that’s a reason to avoid learning it: often you’re more hireable if you can speak a language your employer needs, but few others know.
See also: How AI impacts students and how can they benefit from it?
Above Learning German might be more beneficial for those who wish to work in Europe (Photo: Getty Images)
Learning German might be more beneficial for those who wish to work in Europe (Photo: Getty Images)
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If you wish to work in Europe, German is a far more hireable language. Germany is Europe’s largest economy and offers a favourable environment to start-ups, and German is also spoken in Austria and Switzerland. Being near-fluent in German is an asset for anyone wishing to work in financial services or for one of Germany’s many multinational companies.
Like Chinese, Arabic is a language with variants, but is widely spoken across the Middle East. If you work in oil or gas, knowing Arabic is undoubtedly an asset. And as countries like Saudi Arabia look to move their economy away from relying on fossil fuels, they’re creating astronomical growth—and job opportunities—in sectors such as tourism and construction. If your ambition lies in these industries, knowing Arabic could definitely help you find work in the Middle East.
Ultimately the language you study is a choice that should be motivated by your own passions and ambitions. Being multilingual is always an asset, but remember—a language is only as useful as what you do with it.
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