EAE News
eTips 2020: The importance of learning languages
18 de September de 2020
Why is it essential to spend time training in this area and which languages are most useful at a professional level?
In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, languages have become essential tools for both personal development and professional growth. English, Arabic, Mandarin or Russian, etc. Beyond the simple matter of popularity, each language represents a different way of interpreting the world and gaining a command of them enables us to expand our social and professional prospects. So, which languages are most useful at a professional level and why is it crucial that we train in this area? Let’s find out.
This article was written by the lecturer on EAE’s Master in Human Resource Management, Martina Soler, and was originally published in the 9th edition of the Talent Alumni Review.
- The need for communication Business is done by real people, so you will always need to communicate with customers, suppliers, partners or colleagues. If you speak more than one language proficiently, you will perform better and also benefit from a cognitive, intellectual and economic advantage that will help you progress in your organization.
- Having an optimal level of English. No other language is as omnipresent in all possible sectors and areas: science, technology, digital tourism, etc.
- Learning a second language depending on your professional field. When choosing which second language to learn, first of all, ask yourself which languages are most related to the direction that your professional market is heading. For instance, in Europe, German is important because Germany is still the strongest country.
- Consider studying other languages. Thinking about emerging economies and learning Portuguese, Russian, Arabic or other languages is also an option, depending on the importance they may have in your career journey. In other words, it depends on your role (project director or manager), the type of territory (geography) where you want to work or whom you want to work with, or your specialist area (innovation, sales, etc.). This generates relational complexity that requires us to speak more than one language. Therefore, as well as English, for example, we may focus on the importance of the influence of Portuguese in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau, or French in France, Canada and many African countries.
What about you, which language would you like to learn over the course of this academic year?