How to boost your employability: learn a language

If your multilingual ability stretches only as far as ordering a beer in French

, it might be time to brush up on your language skills. A recent survey for CILT (the National Centre for Languages) reveals that employers value languages second only to IT skills when it comes to searching for the right candidate. Katie Nicholls finds out why foreign languages are so important at work.

With companies increasingly operating globally, employees who can communicate with customers from other countries will have the edge over their monolingual rivals. BMW's HR Director, Bob Shankly agrees: "Employees with language skills are definitely more marketable and have a greater worth in the labour market."

British businesses are clamouring for employees who speak more than one language. A 2008 CBI/Edexcel Education and Skills survey revealed that 75% of employers want their employees to have language skills. Business Language Champions a campaign aimed at encouraging young people to boost their employability by learning another language is supported by companies such as Boots, HSBC and Arsenal FC.

Learning a new language can be a springboard to a new career in translation, interpreting or teaching. But that's not all: combined with other skills, a second language will broaden your job horizons and give your CV the edge in a wide variety of careers, ranging from nursing and civil service jobs to media jobs.

Louise graduated with a degree in modern languages. She described to CILT how her linguistic skills have proved invaluable in her job as a marketing account manager for a Cheshire-based company. "The company relies on a skilled team of multilingual account handlers, who develop communications tools in multiple languages to promote the services and products of their clients to global trade audiences," says Louise. "The ability to communicate with journalists, clients, distributors and suppliers in their own language greatly increases the success of these campaigns." Beyond the language barrier, intercultural appreciation penetrates many aspects of her job. "I also offer language support for creative material, such as advertisements, to offer advice on whether concepts, ideas, headlines and cultural references can be translated."

So maybe it's time to head back to school the door for learning is always open. Further education and private colleges run part-time and evening courses, while long-distance and online learning is a flexible option for adult learners. Learndirect run a variety of courses and the CILT website is bursting with invaluable advice on how adults can get a headstart with learning a new language.

If the prospect of sitting exams makes you nervous, fear not! Asset Languages, a scheme supporting work-based training, reports positive feedback from the adult learners at Citroen: "Learners were a bit apprehensive at finding themselves in an exam situation," reports John Guyon of Executive Languages. "However comments received after the assessments have been positive. Preparing for the exams created a good team spirit and learners felt that the exams focus the mind and gave them something to aim for".

How to boost your employability: learn a language

By: totaljobs

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