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How being bilingual can boost your career
Whether you’re fresh out of college or a seasoned
executive, insiders agree that fluency in a second language
can not only help you stand out among prospective
employers, it can also open doors to opportunities that
those without foreign language skills might miss.
In today’s global economy, the ability to communicate in
another language has become a significant advantage in
the workforce. Research has found that people who speak
at least one foreign language have an average annual
household income that’s $10,000 higher than the
household income of those who only speak English. And
about 17 percent of those who speak at least one foreign
language earn more than $100,000 a year.
A recent survey found that nearly 9 out of 10 headhunters
in Europe, Latin America, and Asia say that being at least
bilingual is critical for success in today’s business
environment. And 66 percent of North American recruiters
agreed that being bilingual will be increasingly important in
the next 10 years.
“In today’s global economy you really have to understand
the way business is done overseas to maximize your
potential. A second language equips you for that,” says
Alister Wellesley, managing partner of a Connecticut-based
recruiting firm. “If you’re doing business overseas, or with
someone from overseas, you obtain a certain degree of
respect if you’re able to talk in their native language.”
Language skills can also be key for service industries. At the
Willard InterContinental Washington, a luxury hotel a few
blocks from the White House, a staff of about 570
represents 42 nations, speaking 19 languages. The
Willard’s front-of-house employees such as the concierge
speak at least two languages. Bilingualism is not an
absolute requirement, but it is desirable, according to
Wendi Colby, director of human resources.
Workers with skills in a second language may have an edge
when it comes to climbing Willard’s professional ladder.
“The individual that spoke more languages would have a
better chance for a managerial role, whatever the next
level would be,” Colby says. “They are able to deal with a
wide array of clients, employees.”
So which languages can give you a leg up on the job
market? Insiders agree the most popular – and marketable
– languages are Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian
and Japanese, with a growing emphasis on Mandarin,
given China’s booming economy. So let’s learn Mandarin!
“We see demand from a full range of industries,” says
Wellesley. “Actually it depends on which company you’re
working for and the country in which they’re located.”
Adapted from: LATHAM-KOENIG, Christina & OXENDEN,
Clive. American English File 5. 2nd edition. Oxford: OUP,
2018.
The word ACTUALLY in “Actually it depends on which
company you’re working for” could be replaced, with no
change in meaning, by: