If you want to increase your competitiveness in the job market try picking up
a second lanuage. According to Marc Jennings, President of Berlitz Publishing
and The Langenscheidt Publishing Group, bilingual Americans have better earning prospects than Americans who speak only English.
"Managers at American companies that do international business face challenges of 'getting up to speed' in a foreign language. They must stay focused on their jobs while learning the business etiquette and customs of another culture," he says. "So many in the current job market are missing opportunities because they don't have multi-language skills."
This article on Skillnet.ca backs up Jennings views on the importance of
being multilingual in the workplace.
The number of jobs advertised these days demanding the knowledge of a second language is also a good indication of just how pervasive the need for language education has become. Companies with global aspirations are beginning to realize the significance of having employees who are multilingual and able to communicate with international clients. Simply put, while multilingualism may not yet be considered an essential job skill, in the business community, it is fast becoming an additional skill employers are seeking for. "If you're in competition with somebody else for a job, and you have only the essential skills, the person who has capability and experience in another language gets the edge," claims Zekulin.
