Learning a new language offers an abundance of benefits. Being bilingual or multilingual instantly makes you more competitive in the workforce, helps you develop a better sense of the world around you, and ultimately makes you more money.
Are you reaching your full potential?
If you’re fluent in a second language and you’re not cashing in on it, you’re wasting a whole lot of earning potential. Although an increase in pay can’t be promised, experts say you can make between two to five percent more per hour. Doesn’t seem like a lot at first glance, but it adds up. The language you know usually sets the bar on how much you can earn. You might be surprised to find that German offers the most earnings in the U.S., followed by French, and then Spanish. Fluent English and German speakers are harder to come by, thus are paid more for their abilities.
What do you have to gain?
There may be more bilingual English and Spanish speakers, however, they are still in high demand. Next to English, Spanish is the most spoken language in the United States and Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world. Companies are taking notice. Employers see a bilingual employee as a major asset both in and outside of their business. Working with international clients or in a location with a lot of diversity is where bilingual employees turn out to be most useful. Clients and business tycoons want to work with individuals who make the effort to understand their culture and speak their language.
Connections can be made in a completely different market you might not ordinarily be able to tap into. The ability to reach another market is a boost both professionally and personally. Personally, you develop a stronger network and potentially earn more money. Professionally, your employer sees just how valuable you are to their business.
How do businesses see you?
The core of a successful business starts from the inside out. For example, having an employee environment where a language barrier exists poses a threat for the welfare of the company. A bilingual individual, who can help bridge that communication gap, would be an ideal candidate for a managerial position. It’s all about being as marketable as possible. Speaking another language has a deeper meaning beneath the surface. Learning a second language shows employers you have discipline, persistence, and drive. It says you took the initiative, time out of your day, and sometimes money out of your pocket to set out and accomplish a goal.
