When you know at least a few phrases in a foreign language, you can significantly improve your professional performance as you meet international partners or greet potential investors in their native language. While it may sound insignificant, it plays a major role by showing genuine care while following business ethics. Regardless of what language you may choose, it will definitely boost your career and social outlook!
Top 8 Languages That Will Boost Your Career
- German.
It is spoken by 130 million people worldwide, which makes it an important language in Engineering, Psychology, Healthcare, Architecture, or Automotive Industry business sectors. Speaking German will also help you not only in Germany but in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Remember that there are some dialects, yet professionals will use HochDeutsch for business relations or any official documents. It will also require certified translation services to ensure that what you receive in result holds legal power.
- Chinese (Mandarin).
Just when you think that the Chinese language is hard to learn, you will be surprised to find out that it is not as complex as you may think. Since the majority of import and export operations these days are related to China, it is essential to learn this beautiful language. Using four tones as a tonal language, Chinese is different, yet once you start to catch intonations, things will become much easier!
- Portuguese.
While Portuguese may not be your primary language of choice, it is one of those important business languages, especially if you look into Brazil. As the country becomes an important hub for the IT sector, cryptocurrencies, and all kinds of outsourcing, learning Portuguese should be on your list. If you already know Spanish or any other language, you will have certain linguistic benefits.
- Russian.
It is spoken by over 258 million people worldwide and goes beyond Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus because it is also used by people in ex-Soviet republics. If you are wondering how many languages can a human learn, think about Russian poet Boris Pasternak or a linguist called Sergei Starostin who could read over 26 languages!
- Spanish.
Another important language for those wishing to make a career in sports, cuisine, or tourism. Spanish is spoken not only in Spain but also in over 18 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and El Salvador among others. It is also widely used in the United States, which is why consider learning a bit, amigo!
- French.
It is used by many international NGOs that are dealing with healthcare, legislation, and military operations. With over 76.8 million native speakers worldwide, it is also spoken in Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, and many other countries in North and West Africa. It is also one of those languages that will grant you access to the world of fashion and unique cultural heritage.
- Japanese.
Learning Japanese goes beyond the understanding of anime series or pop culture. Mastering the basics will also help you to communicate in a much better way as you learn about ethics and social hierarchies. Japanese comes with an integral part of the country’s culture, which is why it shouldn’t be missed!
- Arabic.
If one combines both native and non-native Arabic speakers all over the world, we shall receive approximately 422 million speakers. It belongs to one of those languages that represent the future in anything from food processing operations and textile distribution to tourism, international real estate, and innovative engineering.
Taking Care of Modern Technology
Remember that learning a foreign language today does not have to be with a textbook only since you can use various interactive mobile apps that will help you dive into another culture. For example, you can use Duolingo to choose from over 20 different languages or approach HelloTalk to communicate with native speakers via audio or video, based on your interests. The choices are virtually unlimited, which is why you must choose something that works for you!
BIO
As an educator with a linguistic background, Christian likes to share what he discovers. His posts are always inspiring and accessible. Follow Christian to learn something new and take your ideas to another level.