University of New England Convenor of French and passionate language buff Valentina Gosetti believes that learning a new language and all its attending cultural traditions and customs is beneficial both personally and professionally.
"It enables us to embrace a new and different worldview," Valentina says. "It's also a way of cherishing difference, which is so important in today's multicultural world."
Here Valentina gives five reasons why a second language can enhance your job prospects.
1. It helps develop inter-cultural competence.
"When we learn a new language, we see ourselves in others. It's a very humbling experience. It helps us to understand diversity and the cultural and linguistic heritage of others. We inevitably become more culturally aware and empathetic co-workers. It contributes to a much more collaborative and sensitive team."
2. It boosts your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking and analytical skills.
"There's a huge amount of problem-solving and critical thinking involved in learning another language. You have to build ideas through the words that you have learnt and find a way to communicate using a limited vocabulary. These skills are highly transferable across industries and jobs."
3. It benefits the team.
"Many businesses today are global. Having staff members who are multilingual and understand other cultures builds strong, diverse and multi-faceted teams. Even learning the basic elements of another language can have an amazing impact on your individual negotiating skills."
4. It may keep you working longer.
"We are still not sure what learning a new language does to our brains, the new pathways that are formed. But it's like a brain gym and there is more and more research suggesting that it could have a positive impact on slowing down diseases like Alzheimer's."
5. It opens up vast business opportunities.
"It is becoming more and more important to hire people who can understand the needs of customers, colleagues, stakeholders and partners all over the world.
"When you learn another language, you are no longer limited to the English-speaking realm; you open yourself up to job markets in other countries. It's impossible to join international organisations and NGOs - like the European Union or the United Nations - without a second language."
In conclusion ...
"The skills involved in mastering a language can be applied to so many aspects of our lives. I recommend all new students and those wishing to advance their careers pick up another language to be more competitive in the job market. English has not been the global language forever and how are we to know what will be the major languages of the future? Learning another language is also a lot of fun; it allows you to try on a new identity."
Valentina Gosetti has been teaching languages for 14 years and speaks Italian, English and French, is learning Russian, and also has a little German and Spanish in her vocabulary. She is one of her generation's last native speakers of the fast disappearing Italian language Bresciano.
UNE offers a range of language courses, including the Bachelor of Languages, Diploma in Modern Languages and Bachelor of Languages and International Business. Head to our our Languages page to find out more.
