In today’s hyper-connected and globalized world, learning a new language can be an effective way of boosting your career. After all, you want your CV to stand out against the noise. But what’s the best language to learn if you want to boost your career in 2020?
Most people would say that the best languages to learn if you want to boost your business career in 2020 are Mandarin, English and Spanish. These languages are the most widely spoken around the world.
Does a Foreign Language Really Boost Your Career?
If you can communicate in another language, particularly if you are confident in negotiating, it can add that extra bit of value to you as an employee. This leads to a higher employability and pay. On top of that, if you are lucky enough to be able to learn a language by studying abroad, you’ll also pick up “soft” skills. You’ll have an intrinsic understanding of the culture and the way that people interact – a highly valued ability. Put simply, learning another language will have immeasurable benefits for your professional life, regardless of your industry or profession. But how do you choose the best language to learn if you want to boost your career?
Choosing the Right Language
If furthering your career prospects is your primary reason for learning language, there are two ways you can go about deciding which one to choose. The first is just to pick a language that is widely spoken (such as English or Arabic). This will open up a large number of job markets, the other is by focusing on a more niche, less common language.
In the first case, you will have many different countries and job markets in which to apply your skills. However you might encounter quite a lot of competition.
In the second case, the jobs will be fewer and further between. But if you have a good command of a less common language, your skills will be more highly valued. More value means you can command a higher rate for your work. The downside is that the jobs are likely to be fewer and further between.
The issue of which language to choose ultimately comes down to personal preference. The most important thing overall is to pick a language that you enjoy. After all, it doesn’t matter how lucrative it might be to learn Icelandic if the thought of making yourself study brings you out in cold sweats.
If you are still having trouble picking the right language to learn, here’s some information to help you to make your decision.
English
No matter which field you work in or what career you are hoping to pursue in the future, having a command of English is a useful tool for your arsenal. It is the global lingua franca and the go-to tongue for all things pop-culture related. English is also an important language in the academic sphere. It can enable you to use universities and various other educational or knowledge-based resources around the world.
French
Another great career-language to learn is French. French is spoken by over 220 million individuals worldwide, with the majority residing in Western Europe and Africa. If you dream of pursuing a career in diplomacy, then a good comprehension of French is necessary. It is also the working language of many international organizations, including FIFA, NATO, UNESCO, the WHO, and the UN.
Spanish
As with French, Spanish is a great language choice for people wanting to enter the world of diplomacy. It’s used by many international organizations. There are over 300 million Spanish speaking individuals around the globe, mainly in Europe and South America. There is plenty of opportunity to use your language skills in a host of gorgeous settings. This includes everything from the sun-soaked streets of Barcelona to the luscious wilderness of Bolivia. Spanish is also an excellent choice of language for anyone hoping to work in the US. It is the second most common language in North America.
German
Germany boasts the largest economy in Europe today, and the fourth largest in the world. German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe, with around 100 million people claiming it as their native tongue. German can be a fantastic choice of language for anyone involved in finance, engineering or science. Germany remains a world leader in these industries.
Mandarin Chinese
There is little arguing that China is fast becoming the next global superpower. The Chinese economy is one of the largest in the world, and it continues to grow at an impressive rate. All of this growth has brought a myriad of business opportunities, and if you learn Mandarin, you will be able to communicate with over 800 million people throughout Asia. As Chinese influence continues to grow, no doubt too will the importance of the Mandarin language. Mandarin Chinese can work fantastically for people looking to pursue careers in manufacturing, tourism, or business.
Italian
It will come as no surprise that a good knowledge of Italian can be a deal maker for people interested in careers in the culinary arts. Italian can be a great language to learn if you want to increase your chances of landing jobs in all of the arts, luxury goods, fashion, and design. If you want a language with 70 million native speakers and a cultural history that’s as long and rich as an emperor’s toga, Italian could be for you.
Japanese
Japan has proven time and time again to be one of the most innovative countries in the world. Despite their small size, they are the third-largest economy in the world! Japanese pairs fantastically with CVs geared towards manufacturing, engineering or R&D. Japan is a large importer and exporter of goods, so there’s a lot of opportunity to do business with Japanese companies. Having a command of the language can give you the edge when it comes to negotiations.
That concludes my rundown of the best languages to learn if you want to boost your career in 2020. If you have any suggestions or think I’ve missed something off the list, let me know in the comments below!
