Knowledge of local language in non-English speaking countries

Knowledge of local language in non-English speaking countries

Summary: A record number of students have migrated to non-English speaking countries for pursuing higher education & shaping a triumphant career in the global scenario. Students step into an absolutely new culture with different attributes such as new food habits, new life style and most importantly new language.

Knowledge of local language in non-English speaking countries is vital. There are many reasons, which justify the knowledge of local language. However, it’s not a child’s task!

Like everything, this critical issue has two aspects to its credit. The road to learn the local language is not so smooth, as it may seem or sound to be. It has its own share of hurdles, which can make the journey excruciatingly tough for your stay in a non-English speaking country.

If you are moving to a non-English speaking country such as Germany, France, Spain etc. & you do not know the language, it is rational if you learn the local language of that country before moving in there. However, most of the international programs in Universities there are taught in English but it’s always feasible to have good knowledge of the local language. Also, some languages such as German, Spanish etc. are not so easy to learn and may consume a lot of your precious time in getting into the intricacies of the language.

Also if you take the risk of not learning the local language & directly stepping into that country, you might have to face some serious repercussions such as nearly impossible communication with fellow students from that country & local residents, difficulty in adapting to cultural differences, problems associated in job hunting etc.

However if a student has a knowledge of local language in a non-English speaking country, then there are multiple benefits associated with this aspect. It becomes quite easy for a student to adapt to the campus environment, communicate with faculty & classmates for easy academic journey, interact with local residents & shopkeepers for day-to-day purchases & activities etc.
Such advantages are quite obvious from a statement of one of the students, who witnessed great benefits in studying from a non-English speaking country, one of them being fluency in second language. “The experience has been really good. I found no problems in reaching out to potential employers & find a good job there.”—Ruben Astley, a graduate from University of Malaga.
Job hunting is not a Herculean task in a non-English speaking country if you are proficient in its local language since you can easily get your resume circulated in the community of potential employers by personally speaking to them in their local language. The potential employers instantly develop an inclination to see a foreign national speaking to them so fluently in their local language & eventually become impressed that he/she would be able to carry out all office work seamlessly.
Knowing a language of a non-English speaking country has some additional benefits too. Even if a student returns to his native country, he can easily find the jobs, which involve proficiency in a foreign language such as translators, interpreters (embassy, consulate, social services), language teachers, linguists, immigration officers, import/export sales representatives etc.
Gaining knowledge of local language of a non-English speaking country is not an easy task but can yield multiple benefits.
We look forward to your insights & views on this.