The Benefit Of Being Bilingual

The Benefit Of Being BilingualFor most people, English is their first language and they can also be a combination of other languages. Other languages may not be their second or third language. Being bilingual is a great asset in today's globalized world, but it doesn't mean that the job seeker is any better off being bilingual, if he or she is able to speak one or more languages other than English fluently.If a person who is bilingual does find themselves doing a job interview in a foreign country, they may well be required to speak on certain occasions. However, the employer may not ask for additional information in English during the interview.A person who speaks a language other than English may find it easier to communicate with co-workers and fellow employees in this language than they would be communicating in their own native tongue. Some of the languages that are commonly spoken in the workplace are Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, German, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, and Hebrew. There are many other languages as well.Some employers prefer to interview candidates in their native language. For example, if the company was considering hiring a salesperson who also spoke Spanish, they may prefer to interview the candidate in Spanish rather than having them talk in English. Because a person's job is to sell products or services, the employer wants to make sure that they have the ability to speak this language fluently. Having to learn a second language is often a requirement for a sales position or for an executive position within a company.An alternative to an interview in a different language besides the native language of the candidate would be a job shadowing job. This would entail them meeting with the employer so that they could learn about their culture, work routines, and more. It is possible that the candidate may be put in charge of a department or even interviewed by the employer.It can be difficult to learn another language if it isn't yo ur first. The employer may be willing to allow an applicant to demonstrate how much their new language will help them in the work place. An English translation into Spanish or French may be provided for the applicant to practice until they are comfortable with their new language.Another important skill to know is that a person should be able to translate into the language for which they are applying. An employee in the U.S. who wanted to work in Latin America or Europe would need to know how to read and write these languages. In order to find a job in these foreign countries, a person must be able to read and speak the native language.So, while an employee may be required to speak another language besides English, the best way to learn a new language is through reading and listening to what native speakers are saying. Practicing with a dictionary, listening to Spanish and French speaking friends, and joining in with conversations in English may help a person to become fluent in the other language. When they finally are in a foreign country, the person will have learned the language from the majority of the population in that country.