Giving up on languages too soon is a regret
that many people have when they enter the world of work, and find
their ambitions curtailed by the fact that they can only
communicate in English. In our increasingly competitive global
marketplace, the demand for language skills is increasing,and
employers are recognising the value of multi-lingual employees who
have the skills and flexibility to operate in international
environments.
A foreign language, whether spoken fluently or
conversationally, can give access to a much wider range of jobs in
the UK and overseas. For example, a marketing professional in
a global firm is likely to be much more successful if they are able
to communicate with foreign companies in their own language; a
journalist much more able to write a effective article if they are
able to interview people in their own language and have some
understanding of their culture.