Bilingualism In Demand
People will pay a premium for a language
For jobs in finance and sales, learning key languages (such as Mandarin, Arabic and Japanese) could give you an advantage. Workers who depend on commissions or are looking to introduce products overseas could also benefit, experts say. But bilingualism doesn’t come cheap. You’ll have to spend anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 or more for classes that will give you proficiency in a second language. Those who only speak English can get by in the business world. But if you’re going to study another language, some may be more helpful to your career than others.
Mandarin can be particularly useful, especially in fields such as manufacturing. People with Chinese language skills are very much in demand. That definitely becomes in your favor when you’re negotiating salary increases. Financial-services professionals could benefit from leaning another language. There’s a lot of deal making around the world. Unless your company funds your instruction, picking up a language could be financially daunting.
A 10-week group class for two to four students costs about $1,500. The Boston Language Institute charges $499 per level — it provides five levels of instruction plus a conversational class — for its group Mandarin classes. Arabic will set you back $599 per level. “In most cases people come here on their own volition…sometimes reimbursed by their companies, sometimes not,” said Siri Karm Singh Khalsa, president of the institute. Many employers might not have a policy that dictates paying more for bilingual workers, says Kurt Ronn, founder of professional-level recruitment firm HRworks. “But if you’re bilingual, that’s going to make you a more desirable candidate. You have a better chance of getting the position and being successful,” he says. Experts also recommend taking time to learn cultural nuances, which can be just as important as speaking a language if you’re looking to close deals.
