Now that international borders are operating closer to normal, we have the opportunity for overseas travel. This could also mean many people are keen to pursue work or education overseas for an extended period of time. It’s an exciting time for many who wish to broaden their horizons and expand their resume.
Learning a language is not only useful for overseas work and education but it also improves career prospects right here in Australia. There are multiple benefits to learning an additional language, both cognitive and for professional development.
The Benefits of Learning a Language
Creates Career Opportunities
Many companies operate on a global scale. There is high demand for bilingual employees in the labour market. Being bilingual or multilingual can expand the number of jobs available to you and give you a competitive edge against monolingual candidates. Bilingual or multilingual candidates are highly regarded in every industry and have increased job options globally.
Improves Cognitive Function
Learning an additional language will challenge the brain and encourage productivity, creativity and memory retention, as well as slowing down cognitive decline. The brain is a muscle; the more we use it, the stronger it gets. Think of language as the ultimate mental exercise, expanding and improving the brain’s function.
Connect and Network With Others
Learning a new language has both personal and professional benefits. Not only can you network on an international level but speaking multiple languages will allow you to connect with others from different backgrounds and cultures. It has been proven that learning and mastering a new skill will boost your self-esteem and confidence.
Top 5 Languages to Develop Your Career
China has the second largest global economy and is an integral part of international trade and business. Mandarin is a difficult language for native English speakers to learn, which is why it is highly regarded as an additional language by employers.
If you are planning to work or study in Europe, then German is a smart choice, as it is the most spoken non-English language in Europe. German is widely used in science, engineering and banking industries, in Europe and around the world.
Spanish is among the most widely spoken languages in the world, with about 570 million speakers in more than 20 countries. To learn Spanish opens up a great opportunity to connect with millions of others and deepen your cultural understanding.
French is the second most widely learned language after English, and one of three procedural languages used by the European Union. French is useful for work, education, travel and connecting with other fluent speakers in the community
Arabic is in high demand in the industries of international trade, defence, government, linguistics and journalism. The official language in more than 20 countries, it is sometimes challenging for native English speakers to learn, which means a higher demand in the job market.
Top Tips for Learning a Language
- Be Consistent
Like learning any new skill, consistency is the key to success. Daily practice will help you retain new words, phrases and grammar.
- Learn in a Face-to Face environment
Language is the best way to connect with others, which is why learning in a campus environment can improve your skills quickly. It is also a great opportunity to meet new people.
- Immerse Yourself with Travel
Immerse yourself in a language and travel to another language-speaking country. If this is not an option for you, why not join a local language group or club? You can meet with others to speak the new language regularly.
- Free skills assessment
Here at the CAE we offer a Free Skills Assessment to determine which language course would be right for you. We take into account any previous language experience you may have and what you want to achieve.