Mandatory Foreign Language Classes

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Many college students may think that their mandatory foreign language classes are just requirements to check off their list, they may also wonder: “Is learning a second language in the United States worth it? What are the benefits of learning a second language?” These are common questions that not only college students, but many workers across the United States have faced and tried to answer during their education years. In an increasingly competitive international economy, while high GPA, strong analytical and familiarity with technology…are some of the most important qualities sought by recruiters, in order to secure jobs in a highly competitive and limited job market, a college graduate must be able to distinguish themselves among their …show more content…
“For some positions, knowledge of at least on foreign language is a specific requirement. For many others, it is an enormous help or a tool that is used regularly” (Honig and Brod 159). There are many cases in which a college graduate have to work in a complete opposite area to their field of studies. In this situation, students can make uses of their mandatory foreign language classes which were originally taken to check off their lists. For fresh college graduates, knowing a second language can not only increase their odds of getting the jobs they want, but also open doors to many different career opportunities that those without foreign language skills might miss. In the U.S. modern global economy, foreign languages play a vital role in nearly every kind of occupations ranging from careers that use foreign language as auxiliary skill such as business, industry and commerce to careers that use foreign language as primary skill such as foreign language teaching and translating. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, foreign languages are important for all positions. “In a single …show more content…
Most major business in America today is international in scope. Although English is the most widely used language in international business, it can occasionally become insufficient for all purposes in the complex world of business. The ability to effectively communicate in a second language will help representatives of a United States-based firm work more efficiently and independently, thus, avoiding paying extra for interpreters (Honig and Brod 162). Consequently, the firms are more likely to hire a bilingual worker even when foreign languages are not required. In fact, many companies indicate that they give preference to candidates with foreign language skills, provided other business experience and abilities are equal (Honig and Brod 162). In technical and engineering positions, many U.S. firms with overseas plants often employ technical and engineering staff with certain level of foreign language proficiency. They often have to use both foreign and American-made parts and in order to successfully accomplish the joining components, they must hire technical and personnel capable of communicating in various languages (Honig and Brod 164). In banking and financing, foreign language skills help to erase language barriers and thus, expand business operations internationally. They believe “dealing with a customer in his own language is in some instances a

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