What kinds of job opportunities can you look forward to with a second language in your resume?

1. Interpreter.  There are almost always openings for capable interpreters among embassies, consulates and businesses involved in social services.
2. Translator.  Plenty of media (books, websites, movies) require translating and you can make a good living specializing in that.
3. Teacher.  With proficiency in a second language, you can qualify for many teaching positions, both in universities and adult language courses.
4. Tourism Worker.  Plenty of tourism-related jobs, especially those that deal with customers, can benefit from bilingual abilities.  Check out openings in hotels, airports, resorts and similar facilities to see how your second language skills can fit.
5. Journalist.  Many newspapers worldwide have foreign correspondents   who are, usually, bilingual.
6. Social work.  In countries where you get a big mix of ethnicities (such as in the US), second-language speakers can be valuable candidates for social work.
7. Others.  There are plenty of other fields where second-language skills are not necessary, but could prove valuable, such as international banking, merchandising (e.g. fashion buyers) and customer service.

1. Great way to understand a new culture. Learning a new language is a great way to gain insight into a new culture.  If you’re fascinated by Greek history and are hoping to pay the country a visit sometime in the future, learning some of their language concepts should give you a greater insight about its people.

2. For the challenge.  Some folks enjoy a mental and intellectual challenge.  Language learning is a unique opportunity to exercise those faculties, whether you learn best in a classroom with other students or alone with language learning software.

3. Future opportunity. Learning a language now prepares you for future opportunities, whether that be for business, travel or personal relationships. For instance, I have a friend who studied German because he heard news about the potential opportunities in his industry in Germany even though he had no plans of traveling for the next five years.  One thing led to another and he ended up with a great position in the local  office of a German multinational.

4. Expanding skillset. People are natural sponges, always learning and picking up things.  If you’re looking to expand your personal store of skills, a new language is a great choice for it.

5. Improved language skills. Learning a new language usually improves your own appreciation of your native tongue.  You might be surprised to notice your facility in your first language improving as you progress in the new vernacular.

If you’ve ever thought about it, allow me to encourage you to really give it a go. Learning a new language involves more than memorizing a vocabulary or getting acquainted with a new set of grammar rules. In fact, learning a second language can change your entire thought process, sharpen your wits and improve your overall communication skills. It will change the way you look at the English language and probably increase your appreciation of it.

Learning a new language isn’t easy. It does get easier, though, when you’re immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are trying to learn. If not, you’ll have to be a little more creative, apart from diligently taking your lessons and completing your courses.

When I first learned Spanish, having come from a native English background, I had a painfully hard time. I studied it as a hobby (just something I wanted to try), using an interactive software to learn language that I bought from a website.

I was lucky, though, because I knew folks in school who spoke Spanish, with whom I was able practice my speaking skills, even learning a trick or two. Additionally, I ramped it up on my end. I listened to Spanish radio stations, singing along as well as trying to understand what the lyrics meant. I found Spanish-language magazines like Latina and tried to read them best as I could. It took me no more than a year to become a well-versed Spanish speaker although my writing (even to this day) still begs for a lot more work.

What surprised me more, though, was how much learning that second language helped me. While I started it as a hobby, it paved the way for many personal and professional opportunities I wouldn’t have enjoyed otherwise. In fact, I consider learning Spanish one of the biggest turning points of my life. To think I only wanted to give a second language a try!

Marketability

Even if you have no immediate plans of using a particular language for a job, having one in your resume should paint a positive picture of your professional character in any employer’s eyes. Taking the time to learn a new language shows initiative, a passion for learning and a desire to advance in their careers.

Overseas Opportunities

More than local job prospects, learning a second language opens up a world of employment opportunities you never would otherwise find. Overseas job placements, translation services and teaching gigs are only a few of the additional avenues that become available to those with a second language as part of their overall skillset.

Learning On Your Spare Time

Like most accessory skills, a second language can be learned in your spare time. An hour a day using a language translation software or a similar learning tool should be sufficient to absorb basic competency over time. Isn’t that a worthy investment for what could be a very useful ability that should serve you well into the future?