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What can I do with a Foreign Language?

19/1/2021

Most people are under the impression that you have to move overseas to utilise your language skill. While opportunities definitely are available abroad, a foreign language skill can open doors to a variety of careers right where you are.

You gain much more skill from learning a language than just being able to communicate in another language. The practical skills that can benefit you from learning a language can include presentations, comparisons, researching and translating can lead you to a career in a range of areas.

Wherever your skill takes you can guarantee that your journey will be enriched by knowing how to speak a foreign language.

Possible career paths can include working with a charity or non government organisation such as Red Cross who work with refugees, Aid, asylum seekers or the homeless. This area of expertise can greatly benefit from having a bilingual member on their team.

Police or the Defence Force may benefit from bilingual employees as there are many areas of society which house citizens who have not yet mastered the English language and would require your assistance in a time of need. Being a bilingual officer also serves to help forge stronger community links with ethnic communities.

Travel and Tourism is an obvious employment sector and opportunities within the travel and tourism industry are numerous. You could find employment in the airline, transport, travel agency, hotel or tour company. You could write travel blogs, give tours, customer service or management roles.

In the journalism and media industries there are also opportunities for bilingual speakers. In the multi cultural arena which is Australia, communities with have media in their own languages which therefore requires people to write, film or produce communication and work in their language,

The business world also requires bilingual people to communicate in the ever increasing international arena. With the growth in technology it is becoming more common that Australian businesses have strong relationships with their overseas counterparts. Staff with excellent foreign language skills are crucial to these businesses.
Michele Colledge
CEO VLLC Aust

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Four reasons to learn a Foreign Language

15/12/2020

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A linguist and Columbia professor, Mr John McWhorter, recently conducted a talkback radio feature relating to learning new languages and the necessity for this. I heard about this both on the radio and in a CCTNews article which I have referenced below. McWhorter makes the case that English is rapidly consolidating its position as the universal language, and points out how this begs an important question: if you speak English already, why bother learning another language?

According to McWhorter, English is on its way to becoming the predominant global language by the end of this century, thanks to its prevalence on the internet, and its use in the world of finance, diplomacy and air traffic control, and even though Mandarin is currently spoken by more people, far more Chinese speakers are learning English than the other way around. If that were not enough reason to forget about studying a foreign language, he adds that instant translation of live speech is getting better every year.
These two points lead McWhorter to ask: Why should anyone learn foreign languages if everyone will either be able to speak English, or have access to technology that will automatically translate speech?

McWhorter gives the following reasons as to why you should learn a foreign language:

If you want to imbibe a culture, you have to control the language the culture is conducted in. Languages are tickets to being able to participate in the culture of the people who speak them, and so if you want to imbibe a culture, you have to control the language the culture is conducted in.
Bilingualism is healthy. If you speak two languages, dementia is less likely to set in.
Being bilingual makes you a better multi-tasker.
Learning languages full of different sounds, and different word order is fun.

McWhorter concludes with a reflection on how it has never been easier to teach yourself a language. “You used to have to go to class, go to the laboratory, use records… and books that didn’t work”. In comparison, now we have “modern methods of learning languages would have sounded like science fiction to very sophisticated people”.

We agree with McWhorter, in that the options for language learning now are very vast and accessible. To truly grasp a language though there is a necessity to practice your communication skill so that when it is time to use it in real life, you have the skill and the confidence to do so. At Vocational Lanaguge Learning Centre (VLLC) we teach languages using multisensory techniques so that the language becomes a usable skill, just like your first language.

Start your learning experience in any of VLLC's 12 foreign languages online and you will open your eyes to a brand new future! The possibilities are endless! VLLC offers foreign language courses taught in one to one tutorials for each of the following languages. Click on one of the following languages below to find out more; Arabic , Chinese Mandarin, English , French , German , Greek , Indonesian , Italian , Japanese , Russian , Spanish or Thai. Learn your language at our Melbourne or Adelaide offices or via Skype using our exclusive online software.

Whether you want to learn a language for travel, business, love or to keep your brain active; VLLC have a comprehensive range of fully accredited courses to suit your needs.

VLLC aim to give students a voice and the self-assurance to speak through the practical application of the language. Key reasons to complete a course with VLLC include:

You end up with a usable skill through language.
You can build your confidence and have fun.
You can reach a language goal without wasting your time.
You learn correct pronunciation for practical usage.
You can learn flexibly through the online client.
You can become truly bilingual by thinking in your second language.

See how our language courses can help you and have a look at some of our Student's stories to see how learning a language can change your life.

http://www.cctnews.com/ted-talks-4-reasons-learn-new-language/3520/

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Why learning a language can pay in business..

8/12/2020

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Being bilingual not only makes traveling a lot easier but it exponentially increases who you can be friends with, it provides many benefits in the business world. Many people say – “I can get by with English” – “why do I need to bother about learning a second language”, this may be OK in an English speaking country with English speaking clients and colleagues, but what about when the world comes to your doorstep? There are 5.5 billion people who don’t speak any English at all!
So what are some of the advantages and how can you make the hours of learning a second language impact your pay packet….

Your CV. Being able to speak a foreign language and having experience with a different culture looks good on any application. It also assumes many other soft skills, that HR managers rate highly - such as empathy towards non English speakers, cultural flexibility, international outlook. In today's competitive job market being bilingual is a tremendous value-add to employers that separates you from the other pile of resumes. The more diverse your skill set is the more emplyable you become. According to the latest Education and Skills Survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), “72% of businesses say they value foreign language skills” and 52% say they are “recruiting new staff with language skills”. The Languages for Jobs report, published by the European Commission, also found that “40% of recruiters in the industry sector highlighted the importance of language skills for future higher education graduates”.

Job promotions. There aren't many situations where language skills are the reason that someone gets passed over for a promotion, or even just to keep your job. But in an increasingly competitive job market, why would you not give yourself every possible edge? Being able to communicate in other languages makes you much more valuable to an employer.

David Goodman-Smith, managing partner at China Study Abroad, a full-service agency based in Beijing, says his company's fastest-growing group of students are people looking to enhance their employment opportunities. "Having that competitive edge on your CV these days can be invaluable and Mandarin is without a doubt an eye-catcher. Companies are on the lookout for these kinds of experiences more and more," he explains.

Rapport building. Building your network. As we all know, most business is based on relationships – especially in Asia. The minute you start to speak your client’s language, you build rapport which can save time and money in the long term. Isn’t it easy to ring and directly talk to your clients, rather than go through a translator.

More money. While there are no definitive studies showing the increase in pay for those who are bilingual, there are many personal anecdotes, which show that being bilingual is an advantage when it comes to pay rates. Look at the following statements taken from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2014/04/17/how-learning-an-additional-language-could-influence-your-business/

The U.S. Committee on Economic Development (CED) suggests that American businesses lose more than $2 billion a year to language or cultural misunderstandings. To be successful, international businesses (which are pretty much all of us these days, as foreign trade has become a substantial component of our economy) need to adapt to the needs of foreign clients as well as to communicate with foreign partners effectively.

Consider these statements from the CED:

“For Richard Wagoner, the President and CEO of General Motors, learning Portuguese while on assignment in Brazil increased his eﬀectiveness in working with the Brazilian business community. Douglas Daft, the former chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company, spent nearly three decades living in Asia while working for Coca-Cola. He believes the cultural knowledge he gained from his time in the region shaped his ability to lead the company, and considers understanding and valuing other cultures to be an essential skill for anyone working at Coca-Cola.”

Nearly 80% of business leaders surveyed believe their overall business would increase notably if they had more internationally competent employees on staﬀ, the CED concludes. Additionally, one in five U.S. manufacturing jobs was already tied to exports by 2006, the CED maintains.

Foreign consumers, the majority of whom primarily speak languages other than English, represent signiﬁcant business opportunities for American producers, as the United States is home to less than ﬁve percent of the world’s population. Additionally, trade is shifting to diﬀerent parts of the world, the CED notes. The United States’ annual trade with Asia is now approaching $800 billion (as of 2006—the sum is likely even much greater today), significantly out-pacing our trade with Europe. (Note to career seekers: for your job and salary prospects as well, being fluent in a second language is a definite plus.)

Have a look at the current Languages of the Future. https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/policy-insightresearch/languages-future-2017.

Discover 5 of the fastest-growing languages in the business world right now and contact us with a VLLC Course coordinator to discuss your personal vocational requirements.

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"Putin" the effort and learn a language to open up Russia

5/11/2020

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Russia for people of a certain generation was a cold and off-limits part of the world. With the KGB supposedly hovering on every street corner and only “Meester Bond” seemingly able to penetrate the country that always wanted to take over the world, it was hardly a place to visit and even less a place to do business with.

As much as President Putin has not always been Mr Popularity, Russia is nonetheless a booming place for tourism and a growth market for business. No longer is Red Square the only place on the tourist map and no longer is business considered spying on the nation, Russia is one of THE places to visit. However, to make it an even better place to visit and do business with, speaking Russian opens the country, its people, culture and tremendous business opportunities.

Russia is a vast country and yet one that has only recently opened for tourism and more widely for business. It has always claimed to be “open”, but perceptions of the country kept it more closed. However, Russia has come to realise that foreigners entering the country are no longer MI5 agents or spies but rather can add value to the bottom line of the economy.

Business and leisure can be mixed perfectly in Russia, and by speaking the language, one soon sees that Russians are not miserable people trapped in a communist past. The people of Russia are as cheerful as any others on earth, they want to show their country, and they are proud to do so. Speaking the language makes doing business better, trust is gained when you speak the language of another country, and common courtesies extend to improve business relations. Not only is trust gained, but by speaking Russian, nothing is lost in translation.

Some say that Russian is one of the easiest languages to learn, and even by just learning a small amount, the Russian Map unfolds more than you can imagine. Places away from the tourist traps of Moscow and St Petersburg become open, and the true culture and way of living in Russia can be experienced. Eating out in Russia becomes an enjoyable and almost festive experience when you speak Russian, and because the people are friendly and they are able to converse with you, happiness flows.

Not so long ago, Russia was not considered the best place to visit. Transport infrastructure was poor, hotels (except the top five-star establishments) were not always up to scratch, and the places to visit were somewhat limited. Today all this has changed, even destinations on the Black Sea that are popular domestic destinations for Russians, have become accessible to tourists from overseas. Transport, rail and air networks have improved considerably and made Russia a great place to visit and do business with. Despite these improvements, speaking Russian still gives any tourist or business traveller a tremendous advantage.

Russia wants to move forward and lose many of the perceptions from the past, and because of this, the country and its people are among the most hospitable on earth. Taking advantage of speaking Russian will allow you to take advantage of the hospitality and climb inside a country that you will want to, and because of its size, need to, visit many more times.

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Why should I invest in learning a language?

21/10/2020

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Language is how we communicate and has been important from the most basic of communication since man first started to grunt and make sounds to get a message across.

On modern day earth there are some 6,500 spoken languages that allow some 8 billion people to communicate. Language is clearly Important.

You are reading this article in English, it has become the language of business, but it is not the most spoken language in the world. Mandarin is the most spoken mother tongue language in the world with some 1,213,000,000 people speaking it, English in comparison has only 360,000,000 speakers which gives rise to why learning a language is a great investment.

There is something powerful and magical about learning a language and investing in learning a language which opens doors both in life and business that no other tool can. In a world where technology is bringing cultures closer, language is still the most important tool. Sure, anyone can type a message and have Google Translate it, but have you ever tried translating the translation back into your original language? Tone and emotion are lost and very often the meaning is not what you really wanted to say.

Investing in learning a language allows you to use your human mind to converse with emotion and meaning. The value of this alone is worth more than many imagine, and from it comes a level of respect that few people will ever understand. The emotional power of being able to speak another language is worth more than any investment you could make elsewhere.

The real value of investing in learning a language today must surely be business. Finding a way to give you the edge rather than your competition is the goal of every business today. Language creates more than just one step better and affords improved long term and sustainable relationships just because communication is improved. For this reason, people looking for a better paid job with more prospects become valuable resources to any company if they have invested in learning a language.

There is very much a win-win result in business today when someone can speak an extra language. Companies investing in their employees to learn another language is on the increase because they understand the value and importance of vocal communication and cultural understanding and tolerance.

Investing in learning a language has another benefit over and above being good for business and job prospects. Speaking a second or even third language allows a person to get under the skin of another country, its culture and people. Having invested in learning a language, any business trip gains a new dimension and vacations become that bit more off the beaten track. As was stated at the beginning, language is the key to opening many doors and in reality, adds extra zest and enjoyment to life in way that nothing else can.
If your only reason for investing in learning a language is just because, then do it and you will see a whole new world open up around you.

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The Language Revolution.

8/10/2020

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Learning to speak a foreign language has been quite a daunting task for many people. Over the centuries, students, businessmen and women, tourists, explorers and migrants to name a few, have often tackled long hours of classroom study and travel in order to be able to communicate in another language.

Learning to speak at least one foreign language is seen as essential to Australia's developing markets. Bilingual fluency is opening up new career and personal opportunities in an increasing number of well paid trades and professions. It can open up another window to the world for Australian students and business people.

VLLC's unique online method is fast and fun and enables students of all ages and backgrounds to learn a language at their own pace and in their own place. Students can now learn Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Russian, Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Greek, German and English in the comfort of their own home or office and enjoy the same personalised service for which VLLC is renowned. VLLC's online system eliminates the need for boring class study and lengthy grammar learning of traditional methods. It teaches the use of the new language in the same interactive way we all learned our native language. Students start using the new words and absorbing the new culture from the very first day of their individualised tuition. Contact VLLC, make the most of the new normal and use your time to advance your personal growth and career.

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Language - the new value-added Human Resource

25/8/2020

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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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