How many languages do you speak? Did you know that learning a foreign language can help to boost your career? It’s true. When you dedicate the time and effort to learning a second language you’ll be on the fast track to job search success.
According to iLanguages.org, 40% of the world’s population only speak one language. They claim that 43% are bilingual, 13% are trilingual, 3% are multi-lingual, and less than 1% speak 5 languages fluently. Where do you fall in this range? A good chunk of people never learn a language besides their native tongue, yet learning a foreign language is incredibly beneficial.
While the #1 reason to learn a foreign language is to increase your ability to communicate, there are plenty of other reasons for learning a foreign language, including:
- Boost employability
- Beat out the job search competition
- Open up a world of opportunities
- Travel and work abroad
- Communicate with a larger audience
- Command higher wages
- Become a more interesting person
- Broaden your network
- Create connections with more people
- Improve your resume
- Sharpen your mental skills
- Find work opportunities as a translator or interpreter
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why learning a foreign language will help your career. So why don’t more people do it? It’s easy to make excuses like it’s too hard or you don’t have enough time. Learning a second language will require time and effort, but it’s totally worth it.
If you’re truly considering learning a foreign language, you’ll want to check out these other JobMonkey posts on the topic:
- Top 10 Most Profitable Languages To Learn As A Job Seeker
- Foreign Language Classes
- 17 Online Resources To Learn A Foreign Language From Home
- Learn A Second Language If You Want To Find A Job
Any language you learn will help your job search, but it’s wise to choose one that relates to your career path, clientele, employer, location, or other factors. When you choose a language that is relevant to your career path, it will help you get ahead faster. Before you start to learn a foreign language, do your research and make a plan.
Once you feel confident in your newfound skills, market your language skills, and use them to help you find a job, land a promotion, relocate, or connect with clients. Learning a foreign language will pay off if you’re up for the task. Why don’t you get started today?