The advantages of learning a new language
Do you know that 3.3 billion people in the world are bilingual? These global statistics shared by Preply show that the world has become increasingly interconnected where the barriers of language and culture are shrinking to make way for a globalised market. Students and professionals looking to make a mark in the business world should consider learning a new language.
Knowing a foreign language is a skill set that will give you the opportunity to engage with the world and will also equip you for international roles. Moreover, the advantages of learning a new language are not just limited to professional success but can also impact your personal development.
If you are planning to learn a new language, then there is no better time than now. There are various benefits that you will derive from acquiring this new skill which could impact your mind and your career trajectory positively. If you are looking for more reasons why you should consider learning a new language then here are some interesting ones.
Get ahead in your career
As businesses are navigating the global market, there is a growing requirement for professionals who are well-versed in other languages. This helps in understanding new markets better, communicating with clients easier and also engaging with customers.
To break the language barrier, companies often hire someone familiar with the native language. For example, if a company decides to sell products on a global scale and plans to expand into German markets, it will prefer hiring someone on the business management or marketing team who can speak German.
So, learning a new language can open new opportunities, increase marketability, and enhance overall job performance, ultimately leading to career growth and advancement. Some major brands that often hire bilinguals are IBM, Google, Amazon, Procter & Gamble and more.
Exercise your cognitive skills
Learning a second language can help develop your cognitive skills and make you a more conscious listener and thinker. Along with grasping a new language, you will also develop excellent concentration and focus skills. Additionally, your conversational abilities will improve, it can help you with your study skills and may even learn to be more disciplined.
Knowing more than one language is a skill that has always been attributed to intelligent people. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, was a polyglot, while Steve Jobs could speak Armenian along with English.
A 2017 Huffingtohn Post article highlighted some interesting benefits that come with learning a new language, including enhancing overall cognitive skills, making you more observant and lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s, and delaying the onset of dementia. These insights shared by the magazine were gathered after various kinds of research and are still applicable, adding to the popularity of learning new languages.
Connect with different people
One of the best ways to connect with people of other cultures is by speaking their language. People feel more comfortable communicating with someone who can speak their native tongue and it also becomes easier to articulate thoughts without the language barrier. One of the advantages of learning a new language is that it broadens your perspective and gives insight into a new culture and way of life.
When you have a greater understanding of how people of other cultures live, you gain more acceptance and empathy. It also creates cultural awareness which is another important requisite in the global business landscape.
Gain confidence
Any skill you have will help in your overall development and that applies to learning new languages as well. Being able to communicate in more than one language will open you up to a whole new community of people and better career opportunities. It is an accomplishment that others will admire and it could also provide new opportunities. This will impact your overall confidence level and give you an edge over your peers.
German, which made the American Express list of top business languages in the world, remains an excellent option for students. Being proficient in this language can help you tap into many new job opportunities.
Learn with BSBI
If you are looking for excellent programmes to study in Germany, then check out the range of programmes offered by BSBI (Berlin School of Business & Innovation). They offer accredited undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programmes in a range of sectors that will help you grow in the professional world.
Many international students are already pursuing their academic path at BSBI which offers high-quality learning provided by exceptional faculty who hold years of experience in their field. While programmes in BSBI are taught in English, making it easier for international students to study, the business school offers free German language study support. This is done to help students transition into the German workspace after employment.
Additionally, BSBI is also a ‘TELC-approved centre’ which means that the school offers A1-C2 German language tests where students can test their German language proficiency. The TELC exam is divided into a written and oral section where students will be provided with an official certificate after successful completion of the test.
Clearing The Zertifikat Deutsch / TELC Deutsch B1 exam is recognised proof of language competency for a German citizenship application. Students who are enrolled at BSBI can take the A1-C2 German language tests after the completion of their programme at a discounted price.
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