Learn the language of the host country
Effective communication is crucial for a successful move abroad, starting with speaking the language of the host country. If you have already chosen your destination, it is highly recommended that you start learning the language before you travel. Distance learning courses offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language and culture before you arrive.
In addition to helping you make a smooth transition, knowing the language will help you feel less anxious about making new friends in your host country. Being able to communicate with a basic vocabulary or more will enable you to make yourself understood and to understand others. This can make your first steps in the country easier. Fluency in the language of the host country is also a great advantage in the workplace.
Not only does it make it easier to get started, but it also increases confidence and speeds up interaction with colleagues and the environment. While the importance of mastering the language of the host country is obvious, there are other languages to consider if you plan to move abroad for work.
English remains the number one international business language
When embarking on an international journey, learning English is crucial as it is still widely regarded as the universal language of business. Even if you are relocating to a country where your native language is spoken, fluency in English remains a valuable asset. In addition, being multilingual is always a plus, as it demonstrates an ability to adapt to different cultures and a willingness to learn and explore. While English is often learned as a second language and used when traveling, it should not be considered a substitute for learning other languages. For those planning an international career, mastering English, including business English, should be a top priority. But even in other cases, fluency in English will add value to your CV.
Boost your career with foreign languages
Working abroad may not always be on our minds. You may already be working in your host country but are thinking about a possible career in another country. But which country should you choose? On what criteria should you base your decision? How long should you stay? And which languages should you invest in? Learning one or more languages is an investment that can pay off, as some languages are more influential than others and can enhance your CV. In addition, they can give you access to better job opportunities, depending on your field of work.
Business languages
"To speak business, you must first speak”. Languages have immense power. Mastering them will open up new markets for you, both in the international job market and business. In addition to English, essential for any career abroad, the world's most influential languages are Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, French and Arabic. The power of these languages is measured by the size of the economic markets they can conquer.
The economic market is taken here in the broadest sense. It includes the speakers of the host country (you speak their language and can do business with them), as well as the markets targeted by your company, all the communities speaking the language abroad, and the language's growth prospects (especially based on the country's demographics). It is easy to see why we talk about "influential languages". Their influence extends far beyond their borders and lasts for a long time.
Chinese
China has become a major player in the global economy, and speaking Mandarin, the official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore, is a valuable asset for any businessperson. With over 1 billion Mandarin speakers worldwide, it's no wonder the Chinese language is considered a "must-know" in today's business world. Chinese is actually a group of languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, and Chinese writing, and is spoken not only in China but also in other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos. Additionally, Chinese-speaking communities can be found worldwide, from Thailand and France to the United Kingdom. If you're looking to expand your business globally, mastering Chinese is a smart move.
Hindi
Although India has 22 official languages, Hindi is the country's primary language. It is also increasingly important worldwide, with over 500 million speakers. This number continues to grow, thanks in part to India's growing population. Although the country's demographic growth is slowing down, its power is now recognized (India has not conducted a census since 2011). India has overtaken China in demographic terms and is attracting more and more foreign investors. As the world's fifth-largest economy, it is poised to become a new economic giant. Speaking Hindi means integrating into a rapidly developing economic market.
Spanish
Spanish is a widely spoken language with approximately 460 million speakers worldwide. It is especially relevant in North America, where it is the second most commonly spoken language after English, and in Latin America, where it is the primary language in many countries. Spanish is also the official language of Equatorial Guinea and, of course, Spain.
French
French remains an influential language in international diplomacy. Although it has been challenged by English, it still retains its prestige inherited from the diplomatic culture of 17th-century Europe. French remains the fifth most spoken language in the world (after English, Chinese, Hindi and Spanish). It currently has 321 million speakers worldwide. Speaking French opens doors to the European, Canadian and especially the African markets. Moreover, Africa is bringing French to the forefront of the international market, as 80% of French speakers are on the African continent.
Arabic
Learning Arabic also opens many doors. For instance, 25 countries have it as an official language, including the powerful United Arab Emirates, whose influence on the international stage continues to grow. There are more than 260 million Arabic speakers in the world.
Other powerful languages internationally
Are you considering a career abroad? Other languages stand out in the international business and job market. Japanese is a trendy language, especially among the younger generations. Japan is still the world's third largest power, after the United States and China. It has won the soft power battle thanks to its culture, including gastronomy, fashion and pop culture (manga, anime, video games, etc.).
Its neighbor, South Korea, has also won the soft power battle. We can no longer ignore the success of the "Korean Wave" or Hallyu. Music, TV series (K-drama), fashion and gastronomy have gained considerable market share. The country is capitalizing on this success with its project for K-pop visas and digital nomad visas. Portuguese, German and Italian also have their spheres of influence.
Do you want to learn a language for your career? Are you considering several countries? Why not consider sectors instead? Depending on your field, mastering one language over another can open more doors for you. Hindi, French, Japanese, English, Arabic, German, and Spanish — learning one of these languages will multiply your chances of being recruited on the international job market. This is especially true if you work in international relations, international trade, diplomacy, government positions, human resources, law, finance, banking, translation, interpreting, management, or even innovative fields — a wide variety of sectors and just as many opportunities to work abroad.
