How important are foreign languages in the working world?
Worldwide communication
Mankind is better connected than ever before and globalization is constantly being pushed forward. An important point when it comes to networking and communication are the different languages. Because mutual understanding is the basic requirement for all treatises, contracts and discussions.
Being able to specify one or even more foreign languages when looking for a new job has always been a big plus. Nowadays it is often even a requirement to have at least a good command of the English language.
language as a profession
Many people are now studying subjects such as German, linguistics or Romance studies. All of these subjects are related to learning, understanding and analyzing languages. A degree in this area is often smiled at and dismissed as useless. But you shouldn’t let that unsettle you.
If you are well versed in languages and ideally have a degree in the same field, you can go in many different directions professionally. For example, graduates of German studies often go into the cultural sector or journalism. Magazines are always looking for good writers. But the possibilities go far beyond that. You can also work as a translator, become an author or go into marketing.
Getting started in the world of work
Languages are not only important if you want to work directly with them. For many other professions, especially in the business sector, companies require trainees and new employees to have good and wide-ranging language skills. There are a few reasons for this. Large companies have customers and partners all over the world. If meetings or similar events take place, in most cases they will not be held in German. You can get help for this in the form of commercial translations. English is the standard here. Sometimes they switch to French or Spanish. Depending on which partner you are working with, additional languages may be required. In general, you usually have a better chance of being accepted into a company if you can show more than just German and English in your personal profile.
Other tasks in everyday working life
Not only meetings await you in other languages. There are many other things that one is confronted with in everyday working life. Telephone calls often have to be made and lectures given. This means that you can quickly switch between different languages and have to respond to questions spontaneously.
E-mails or letters that go abroad usually have to be written in English. When working with websites or developing them, you also have to adapt to foreign languages.
How to learn new languages fast?
German and English are usually taught at school. Most of the time you can choose another foreign language from a certain age. French, Spanish and Latin are usually offered here. Sometimes offers like Greek are added.
If you want to expand your skills or repeat what you have forgotten, language courses are a good idea. These can be attended at universities and night schools. Language courses can also be provided directly by employers.
The best option is a stay abroad in an area where the language to be learned is spoken.