Some learn a new language for travel purposes while others learn it to expand their intellect and explore new cultures. However, a large number of people acquire a foreign language to help increase their employability as well as earn more.
Deciding which language to learn can be tricky as it depends on your priorities and motives, such as your geographical location, the industry you work in, etc. Here are the top 6 languages that can help your career as well as your bank balance:
1. Arabic
The world is highly reliant on oil-producing economies. Therefore, countries in the Middle East and Africa are popular work and travel destinations. Most of these countries have Arabic as their official language and are offering an attractive employment landscape, well-paid jobs and a fulfilling lifestyle.
2. Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese has over 2 billion speakers in China, the world’s second largest economy. Knowing Mandarin Chinese will open up business opportunities in China and other Asian countries. The difficulty in learning the language has led to very few foreign speakers mastering the language. But, if you choose to study Mandarin Chinese, you will most definitely stand out from the crowd and increase your value as an asset to many employers. This will definitely lead to bigger paychecks!
3. Spanish
It is an established fact that knowing a second language will increase your pay. Knowing Spanish, however, will increase it even more. According to World Economic Forum, Spanish is the 4th most powerful language, mapped against the following criteria: Geography, Economy, Communication, Knowledge and Media and Diplomacy. It is also ranked second as the most spoken language by native speakers. With many large companies looking to set up their factories and offices in Spanish-speaking countries, learning the Spanish language is the way forward for better career opportunities.
4. French
The French language is present in 5 continents and has over 220 million speakers. French-speaking African nations are also exhibiting economic growth, thus opening up a variety of new opportunities. Its strong presence in Europe and a growing presence in other parts of the world makes French one of the key languages that will earn you big bucks.
5. German
Germany is a dominant economic powerhouse in Europe. One might think that languages with a higher GDP (by language), such as Mandarin or Japanese, would correlate to higher earnings. However, German, which is ranked 5th in the list of language GDP, is an exception. This is because German is the second most spoken language in Europe. Established industries in Germany, along with a relatively stable economy, ensure that knowing German will considerably support your career growth.
6. Japanese
Japan ranks third in terms of nominal GDP and is one of Asia’s leading economies. The spending power of the Japanese is among the highest in the world. Relationships are very important when doing business in Japan. Knowing the Japanese language will help you build trust with customers and clients. If you are looking for a job in Japan, foreign professionals who know English and Japanese are in high demand.
So, there you have it. Boost your career prospects by learning one of these languages