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

29/7/2020

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

Why everyone should invest in language skills

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

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