Learn a language for work Blog

Language - the new value-added Human Resource

25/8/2020

Learning a new language opens up a World of Opportunity personally, professionally and socially, for career-minded men and women. The ability to speak a second language adds market value to hard-earned qualifications and experience in other fields - as hundreds of VLLC graduates, now working all over the globe, have found. Recently I have had some requests from students about where language can take you. Here are a just a couple of testimonies of where a few of our past students have used their language.

Commercial airline pilot Robert has learned Mandarin Chinese at VLLC to further his flying career. “The value of learning a language hits home when you land in that country,” he said. “Even in interviews in China I feel comfortable. Being able to speak and understand the language gives you a lot more credibility.”

Kylie learned German at VLLC and left for her new job marketing Australian-made automotive products in Europe. Jeremy is marketing manager for an Australian, successful global marketer of agricultural products. He is learning Japanese at VLLC and said, “Our company has more than doubled its export food market. so we need to be ready to communicate”.

Michael, an employee of AUSTRADE stationed in Milan, learned Italian at VLLC before taking up his post. He reports there are many new markets in Italy for Australian product and said that “The ability to speak Italian can open doors for Australians,”.

Heather, is learning Japanese at VLLC in preparation for her next big project - advising her company’s Asia-based clients in the banking, manufacturing, media and consumer goods markets. Heather's specialty is transforming fully competent executives into exceptional performers.

The VLLC ‘Fluency Focus Method’ of language learning means you learn to speak your new language, and communicate in a relaxed and professional manner - starting to communicate from Day 1. As a recent VLLC graduate said: “You don’t just learn a lot of new foreign words - you learn to use them, as if you were speaking your own language.”

VLLC has over 30 years experience and over 10,000 graduates including exporters, engineers, entertainers, sports stars, doctors and nurses, teachers, bankers, pilots and flight crews, tourists, journalists, musicians and entertainers, senior executives and receptionists. The unanimous vote is: “It’s fast, flexible and fun!" Contact VLLC and start your own language adventure.

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The challenges for Australians living and working in foreign countries.

11/8/2020

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So, you have got the chance to live and work in a foreign country. You are excited and perhaps a little apprehensive and it is perfectly understandable. What are some of the challenges of living and working in a foreign country? Below are some areas to consider before you go.

Housing. Many Australians are used to high quality houses of a certain size, with certain appliances. Finding a good place to stay is often one of the first challenges to overcome. It is all well and good staying in a guesthouse for a short period of time, but for a longer or more permanent stay, your self-contained housing is a must. Finding property in the right area and getting used to the local quirks are some of the challenges that must be overcome. There are plenty of nightmare stories and many fantastic stories, and taking time and getting plenty of advice before heading off, make things easier.

Rules. One of the challenges that many Australians and other people have to overcome when relocating overseas, is that of paperwork and regulations. Some countries have transparent and straightforward process and others do not. Getting ID cards, opening bank accounts and even registering for tax, are often hurdles that must be crossed.

Weather. Don’t expect the weather to be the same as you left behind in Australia. If you are heading to a country, and have only seen holiday snaps or scenic pictures, be prepared to not get that weather all the time. For Australians who are used to warmer climates, adjusting to Europe, especially Northern Europe can be a challenge. But this is all part of the adventure, isn't it?

Social. Socialising and getting to meet people is somewhere high on the list of challenges facing Australians who are heading overseas to start a new life or spend a considerable length of time away from home. Of course meeting local ex-pats is helpful but meeting locals is where the challenge lies. Knowing the places where the locals hang out and how to fit in is something that is not easy.

Family. The biggest challenge for most is missing family and friends back home. It is to be expected, and at first it can be difficult. As time passes by, it becomes easier as new friends are made and life settles down to a new normal.

These 5 things are all usual considerations for relocation, but there is a way to overcome them all with added ease. To address all of the above, apart from the weather of course, the easiest way to settle in and get things sorted is to be able to speak the local language. Having a grasp of the language really does make a difference. Finding a place to stay would be easier as you can ask the locals for their opinions, make enquiries and understand the process much more easily. The same would be true for all the rules and regulations. Socialising becomes a breeze and once you have friends you will find yourself comfortably relocated and ready for your new adventure. Contact VLLC if you would like some help.

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How to use your language skills to land your dream job.

29/7/2020

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If your ideal job requires you to chat with clients from different nationalities, studying the language of that country will help to make your work easier and assist you in landing your dream job. Speaking a relevant foreign language will create a positive image in the minds of your clients, which they might communicate to your bosses, and may just provide you with the competitive edge in landing that new and elusive contract. You will no longer require an interpreter to communicate your clients’ requirement to you. This will also save a lot of cost for the organisation for which you are working. These are all great selling points about your language skill which can be used at an interview.

Lack of foreign language knowledge puts English speakers at a disadvantage. In meetings, for example, the people on the opposing side of a negotiation can discuss issues amongst themselves, in their own language, without the English speakers understanding. Utilising the skill of an interpreter can slow negotiation down and remove the flow of a deal. In any socialising, after the meetings, which may be integral to strengthening relationships, your clients will probably feel more comfortable using their own language rather than English. Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.

Contact VLLC so we can discuss your language requirements for that dream career!

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Why everyone should invest in language skills

14/7/2020

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I recently read an article about the benefits of language. It was about language learning in Europe and the competitive advantages languages give. We think that all Europeans speak 2-3 languages so it was interesting to read that there is a push towards language learning there as well as in Australia.In 2016, as expected, English was perceived by Europeans to be by far the most useful language to know (68%). French (25%) and German (22%) follow next almost side by side, and Spanish ranks fourth with a 16% share. 1 in 10 Europeans do not see the benefits of knowing any language other than their mother tongue.

There is a push in Europe, that the five main languages under an EU program (called Erasmus) are English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. A business survey showed that 89% of clients stated that multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% stated that recruiting team members with language skills is important to their organisation. A multilingual ability is definitely a competitive edge in today’s world. , such as a , , in addition to improving social interaction and encouraging connection between peers.

Some of the benefits of learning a language are listed below:
- It gives you a competitive edge;
- they are linked to improved intercultural skills and cultural tolerance;
- encourages social interaction;
- assists with improved concept formation, mental flexibility and the ability to multitask;
- Bilingualism can improve cognitive function;
- improves listening skills and problem-solving;

There are many benefits to learning a language. I’d love to hear your opinion. Do you agree? Should everyone learn at least one foreign language?

Joanne Ammerlaan is the National Manager for Vocational Language Learning Centre. She has been working with second language acquisition for over 30 years.

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The Benefits of Learning Another Language for Business And How to Get Started...

1/7/2020

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In a time of ever-growing globalisation, interchanges, and people jetting off in all different directions, the multilingual nature of our world has become clearer. And that is fantastic! Due to the ever-shrinking gaps between people and countries, business is booming worldwide. This is the perfect time to start forging business connections and conducting business with, and in other countries.

But, one issue that still looms large, particularly in the US, and that’s monolingualism. But why? Perhaps it’s due to people not realising the mind-blowing and life-changing benefits of learning a second or even third language (the more the better!) You see, not only will learning a language secure you higher-paid jobs, it can also decrease your chances of suffering from dementia in the future.

You’ll find even more incredible benefits as you learn, some of the more obvious being a whole new world of media opening to you and being able to travel more comfortably.

But, it’s the many benefits that learning a language has in the business world that should truly tempt business-oriented people. Here’s just some of these incredible upsides: Makes you a better decision maker; Increases ability to memorize sequences and lists ; Makes you more aware of your native tongue with its structure, spelling, cadence, improving your ability to communicate in your own language ; Let’s you know your market personally ; Opens up parts of the market that would’ve previously been inaccessible to you. The truth is, the benefits are never ending and will keep on revealing themselves to you as you learn more.

So, what are the best languages to learn for business? This largely depends either on what type of business you’d like to get into, or what type of business you’re already conduction. But there are certainly some best bets start learning if you are not quite sure yet. Here are just some of the most influential languages in business and their number of native speakers:

Mandarin (1.05 billion)
Spanish (436 million)
Arabic (422 million)
Portuguese (267 million)
Russian (129 million)

Learning these languages will not only open up some of the largest and most powerful markets to you but will also allow you to communicate with the many people conducting business in these countries.

But how do I go about learning a language? There are certainly the more traditional ways of hitting the books and attending in-person courses, but are these really the best methods? Research would suggest not, pointing towards a more technological and online way as best. And fortunately for us, we have it right at our fingertips! Learning a language online is the next best thing you can get to actual immersion in a country. By just switching tabs, you can go from scrolling through twitter to learning verbs! But what about taking it a step even further and joining an online language course? Many experienced language learners would tell you that this is by far the best way to learn.

Despite the freedom that learning a language online gives every learner, there can sometimes be a lack of structure. Also, we all make mistakes when we start learning a language, that’s only natural. But if you don’t have anyone to correct them, these mistakes may become solidified in your memory.

An online course with VLLC can change all that. You’ll have set tutorial hours each week (these can change weekly to suit your circumstances) and will be able to ask any questions you might have. An online course can also provide you with the benefits of repetition and new learning methods. So, why not contact VLLC, enrol in an online course today and watch your business acumen grow. Not only will a new language help you to be more confident in dealing with customers, but will also give you a great sense of personal satisfaction and achievement.

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What to know before doing business in the Arab World.

16/6/2020

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Entrepreneurship is not only centred around innovation, but it also relies on connections. Where an entrepreneur forges these connections and how many they manage to make is known as their business network, and the bigger a business network, the higher the business soars. Many entrepreneurs will set their sights on North American and European countries to build their network, largely neglecting the up-and-coming Arabian countries. Stretching from Morocco in North Africa to Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula, the rich and lucrative business opportunities of the Arabian world are many. So, what’s to stop entrepreneurs covering this undiscovered ground?

Despite the obvious cultural differences, values, and customs, the business communication gap can be closed. However, this daunting task requires plenty of research, experience, and understanding. As we enter a new era, this gap is closing further every day. Here are some simple tips and tidbits that will help you navigate your business relations in Arabian countries.

Think about timing. The workweek is somewhat different in the Arab world where Islam is the predominant religion. Due to Friday being considered the holiest day, you’ll find that in most Arab countries a Friday and Saturday weekend schedule is observed. The countries that follow a Saturday and Sunday weekend schedule are Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Gregorian character is used throughout the Arab world, however, a lunar calendar is also used in relation to religion. Lunar time can be hard to predict in comparison to Solar time meaning that many significant Islamic holidays/celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha take place on different days every year. The holy month of Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting in Islam, is also subject to the unpredictability of the Lunar calendar. It is essential that you keep track of these changes and adjust your schedule to suit. It’s not easy but planning meetings around these times is essential.

Flexibility. In relation to timing, don’t always expect punctuality in the Arab world. Flexibility and understanding are key in this respect as it’s the norm in many Arab countries. Do not take offense if a potential business partner arrives an hour or even multiple hours late to a meeting.

In-person meetings. There is a thin line between personal and business relations in the Arab world. Therefore, business meetings tend to be conducted in a more personal, face-to-face manner. Do not bank on being able to secure any deals or connections through email or over the phone.

Speak in their tongue. Naturally, the predominant business language in the Arab world remains Arabic despite an ever-growing use of English. Most Arabs hold their language close to their heart. Learning a few phrases or even more cannot only gain you favour but will also make business meetings run more smoothly.

Expect interruptions. Now that we’ve globally entered the era of technology, there’s no getting around that people will check their phones from time to time – even during meetings. This practice is slightly more common during business meetings in the Arab world and is not meant as an offense. There is also a slightly more common tendency to chat during meetings in the Arab world. So, don’t take interruptions as a slight and try to go with the flow.

Have patience. Due to prevalent bureaucracy and the more personal nature of business relations, sealing a deal can take a significantly longer time in the Arab world than in the West.
There is a general code known as “Wasta” with a central tenet of “It’s not what you know but who you know”. Though this may be looked down upon in North American or European countries, it’s simply how things are done in the Arab world and there is no bad association with the “Wasta” system. By using this system to your advantage and forming plenty of close business ties, you could find that your deals come along a lot swifter.

Dress code. There are many dress codes spread out among the countries of the Arab world. Men and Women will often dress completely differently between one country to another. Taking this into account, it’s essential that you do your research on the dress codes of the countries you plan on visiting or conducting business in, and dress according to these codes.

The entrepreneur and business spheres of the Arab world are a dynamic and exciting environment right now. There’s no better time to set your sights on what the Arab world has to offer and start investigating. Learning the language before you go would be of great benefit to opening the door to new horizons.

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Arabic business.....

4/6/2020

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In recent years, the Middle East has exploded as a business destination. The growth of cities such as Dubai and Doha has made them hubs for international travellers, and with this, the cities have become central points for doing business. Doing business in the Middle East is not too challenging, and Arab countries are extremely open to doing international business. Having an understanding of business etiquette and a grasp of the Arabic language can and will make a tremendous difference to doing business in the region.

For thousands of years the Middle East has been a trading hub. It has been on trade routes for gems, spices and in times gone by, slaves as far back as man can remember. The Arab world is extremely civilised and appreciation of this with simple good manners, hellos and goodbyes makes all the difference.

Calendar and Weekends. One of the biggest mistakes newcomers to the Arab world make is the working week. Only 3 countries, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia work what the western world call a working week. All other countries use Friday and Saturday as their weekend. Don’t head into the Middle East hoping to get a meeting on a Friday as chances are it won’t happen. Secondly, there is an overlap in calendars used, while Arab countries tend to use the Gregorian calendar for business and many other activities, the Islamic Lunar Calendar is an influence when it comes to religious activity. Familiarising oneself with the likes of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha for example will be tremendously beneficial.

Arabs and language. As with most nations, Arabs are extremely proud of their language. Even the most basic understanding of the Arabic language can be helpful, but a more fluent understanding will demonstrate deep respect among those one is doing business with. Very often there are almost formal or expected greetings and responses such as As-salaam alaykum when initially meeting, being traditionally followed by Wa alaykum as-salaam.

Like most languages, Arabic has a formal and informal form. Having a good grasp of the language will lower barriers between parties fairly quickly, once it is known you speak Arabic. Very often you will be politely asked to be less formal. However, should a person senior to your guest enter the meeting, conversation may revert to formal out of respect, should the person be unfamiliar.

A control of the Arabic language will grow ones understanding of the people and culture. A deep respect for Allah is prominent, and this may take some getting used to, but politeness and gentleness will make things easier. With the understanding of the Arabic language and culture settling in to the ways of the region will become less difficult.

Time and hard bargains. Time, it seems, in the Arab world, moves at a slower pace. It would not be unusual for a meeting to begin an hour or an hour and half late, there is no rush. Interruptions to meetings will not be uncommon, and meetings may extend a great deal longer than planned. Arabs are, and always have been traders. They have all the time in the world to get the deal they want. It may be a little uncomfortable, and you may feel a little pressured to negotiate, so don’t say you have not been warned. Having an understanding of Arabic will make negotiations easier and may result on more favourable terms. The value of speaking Arabic will pay off for anyone doing business in the Middle East, and once a deal has been struck strong bonds will remain.

Arabic people are genuine, honest and very welcoming. Treated with respect in their own language you will win not only superb business partners, but very welcome friends.

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How Speaking a language helps expand your business internationally

19/5/2020

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Many businesses, either large or small have a desire to grow internationally. To be able to trade in more than one country not only can generate an improved income stream, but also creates considerable credibility. On paper, opening up offices in different countries may look like a piece of cake but in reality, there is a lot more to contemplate, and in many cases a priority to consider is that of language.

English Folly. You may say “So what, all business is done in English” and while this is true to a degree it is also not the truth. Sure, one of the primary languages of business communication is English, but when it comes to the day to day, and gaining a strong foothold in whatever country a business is venturing into, knowing the mother tongue matters. Going into Spain, France, Japan or any country that does not natively speak English and expecting things to be done in English would be pure arrogance and therefore speaking the native language is vital.

Language gets you started. When a business is expanding into another country it is taking its products and services to a place where its own native language is not the same as the country that is the new customer base. Communication and marketing when entering a new country both need to happen in the now foreign language and being able to discuss your requirements with local agents requires you to be understood. Even prior to establishing a base on foreign soil, discussions and negotiations need to occur and these are best done in the language of the country being entered. Speaking the language shows that the business is taking its expansion into different countries seriously. Furthermore, in the often delicate, initial discussions and negotiations, speaking the same language, preferably the native language, room for error or misunderstanding is removed. Speaking a language ensures a swift and more effective expansion into a new country.

Language gets you down to business. When expanding into a new country a business will employ locals that are often managed non-native language speakers and the process of opening up operations is overseen by staff from the home office who may not necessarily speak the language of the country they are in as their first language. It is important to understand that language plays a critical role here and speaking the language is of paramount importance. Not only does speaking the language help in the day to day office or factory operations it goes a great deal further to ensure a strong foundation is created where misunderstanding, for example, becomes less of a problem with face to face discussions.

Language beyond to office door. The biggest thing about language that helps a company expand into foreign territory is outside of the business. Few companies expanding into a new country take full cognisance of culture, tradition and social behaviour, of the place they are setting up shop and these easily overlooked elements of working and living in a new country are very much the fabric that drives success when expanding internationally. Speaking a language ensures a company and the employees tasked with establishing operations blend in. Blending in is powerful when it comes to morale in place of work and high morale means the chances of success and high productivity are exceptionally better than they could otherwise be. Language matters!

Expanding a business internationally all begins with the spoken word and being able to speak the language of the country where a business is venturing into is by far and away the most critical part of the entire plan.

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Can you claim your language course as a tax deduction?

5/5/2020

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Is your language course claimable as a self-education expense?

Do you need to learn a language to help you do your job better? Self-education expenses are deductible when the course you undertake leads to a formal qualification. To claim a deduction for self-education expenses, you must have met one of the following conditions when you incurred the expense:

The course must have a sufficient connection to your current employment and:
the course maintained or improved a skill or specific knowledge required for your then current work activities
you could show that the course was leading to, or was likely to lead to, increased income from your then current work activities, or
other circumstances existed which established a direct connection between the course and your then current work activities.

A work related self-education expense are expenses you incur when you undertake a work-related course to obtain a formal qualification from a school, college, university or other place of education. You cannot claim a deduction for self-education expenses for a course that does not have a sufficient connection to your current employment even though it might be generally related to it, or enables you to get new employment.

Also, if you have had to work from home due to the COVID-19 there are also additional tax benefits you can claim due to having to use your personal resources. If you work from home, you will be able to claim a deduction for the additional running expenses you incur. These include:

electricity expenses associated with heating, cooling and lighting the area from which you are working and running items you are using for work
cleaning costs for a dedicated work area
phone and internet expenses
computer consumables (for example, printer paper and ink) and stationery
home office equipment, including computers, printers, phones, furniture and furnishings – you can claim either the
- full cost of items up to $300
- decline in value for items over $300.

https://www.ato.gov.au/General/COVID-19/Support-for-individuals-and-employees/Employees-working-from-home/

The information contained in this article may not necessarily relate to you and you would need to confirm your eligibility with your own accountant.

Check out the following links for more info from the ATO:
https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/income-and-deductions/deductions-you-can-claim/self-education-expenses/ or
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-return/2019/Tax-return/Deduction-questions-D1-D10/D4-Work-related-self-education-expenses-2019/ or
https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/income-and-deductions/in-detail/education-and-study/

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The top 7 languages that can boost your employment potential.

5/5/2020

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‘ I feel pretty stupid that I don’t know any foreign languages’ Bill Gates.

It might seem a hard notion to grasp that the Microsoft founder and prolific philanthropist regrets not learning a second language. Gates, 62, should now have plenty of time to pursue that passion. In 2008 he retired from his day-to-day role at Microsoft and only in 2014 handed over his role as chairman of the company. We think learning a language is imperative to gaining recognition in the overseas workplace and mastering a local language is a step in the right direction at developing deeper business relationships and winning the hearts and minds of target markets.
Here are the top 7 languages to boost your employment potential

1. Spanish Of all the languages in the world, Spanish is the language our online translation agency works with the most, reflecting an enormous market the world over. Aside from the huge potential of almost all of South and Central America with emerging economic powerhouses such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela -- not to mention the significant market in Spain itself -- learning Spanish is worth it if only to reach the Hispanic speaking community in the U.S., whose purchasing power is already more than a trillion dollars and growing. As opposed to its spoken dialects, Spanish written forms are more uniform than other languages which makes them simpler to learn. As a Romance language, with the same letters and roots as English, you’ll probably twist your tongue a lot less than when learning Chinese.

2. French French is a very important language to learn for those who are looking to succeed in the world of business. Many people do not know is that French was considered the international lingua franca – a common language with which people all around the world can converse – for quite some time, until the rise of the British and American empires brought English into prominence. There are still many companies and individuals around the world that prefer to do business in French, and many African and Mediterranean countries that were once French colonies or territories. Because of this, French is spoken widely throughout the world, with about 335 million total speakers.

3. Chinese There are dozens of different languages and dialects spoken in China, and while Mandarin is by far the most widely spoken -- in fact, it’s the most prevalent language in the world with 1.1 billion native speakers -- other Chinese dialects are spoken by hundreds of millions of people. Wu, for example, used in the financial hub of Shanghai, is spoken by more than 80 million people -- that’s a potential market the size of Germany! Depending on what area of China you're targeting and the fact that written dialects in the country are basically uniform, learning Wu, Jin, Min or Yue will certainly be worth the effort.

4. Russian Russia has a market nearly 150 million strong, seemingly endless natural resources and a burgeoning IT sector. Plus, the language is also spoken to varying degrees in post-Soviet states (for almost 300 million speakers in all) -- many important emerging economies themselves -- making it number nine on our most-translated list. Knowing Russian will go a long way toward winning the trust of local business leaders. And you can read Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky in the original.

5. Arabic Hundreds of millions of people around the world speak Arabic -- the fifth most-spoken language in the world -- so it comes as no surprise that Arabic is number 10 on our list. The Arab world, with a growing online culture, doesn’t have its own Amazon or Alibaba, making it a market with huge potential, not to mention the deep petro-economies of the region. Executives who speak their language are going to have a leg up in this cross-continental market. The drawback? With dozens of distinct varieties of spoken Arabic, choosing the right one will be a daunting process.

6. German German is the second most-translated language at our agency, reflecting the country’s status as Europe’s largest economy and one of strongest economies in the world. Enough said. Learning a foreign language may be a major investment of time and energy, but speaking even a rudimentary level of a country’s native tongue goes a long way to breaking down walls.

7. Japanese Long at the forefront of the world’s technology, Japan is the hub of the robotics that is poised to upend the way we think about business, and even society, in the coming decades. If companies are looking to break into this up-and-coming scene, knowing how to speak Japanese would be very useful. According to Wikipedia, “Japan employs over a quarter of a million industrial robot workers. In the next 15 years, Japan estimates that number to jump to over one million and they expect revenue for robotics to be near $70 billion by 2025.” Robotics or anything else, revenue of that size might be something to consider being a part of.

References: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/28/technology/bill-gates-regret/
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244233
http://www.therichest.com/business/salary/the-eight-best-languages-to-learn-for-business/8/
http://www.k-international.com/blog/learn-a-language/

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