Foreign Languages- Aspects & Prospects
In today’s scenario we see that the various countries across the globe are a part of the global community wherein cultural exchange along with the activities of trade and commerce take place which further bring into view the concept of a global market wherein the various countries are interdependent for a peaceful and progressive existence.
In the last few decades, the Indian companies have been emerging as “global players” in the international sphere, which has led to the recognition of the immense marketing potential in India with the Indian market gradually turning into the playground for the multinational companies, thereby creating a number of employment opportunities for the youth in India.
This is where the importance of efficient communication comes to the fore. In order to compete in the global market it becomes essential to pull down the barriers on the language front in an attempt to facilitate effective communication for enabling proper transactions, which requires people who can communicate in foreign languages in an effective and proactive manner. There exists a great demand for foreign language experts with an understanding of the various cultures in the corporate world, which provides for unbelievable scope for careers based on foreign languages . Additionally, language skills boost efficient communication skills which pave a way for advancement in the professional front.
How can I learn a foreign language?
There are three methods of going about learning a foreign language:
- Short term certificate courses in foreign languages: A number of private companies, such as Max Muller, Inlingua, the Bajaj group; offer certificate courses in foreign languages, with the duration of the course depending on the language in question.
- Diploma and graduation courses in foreign languages: Several students opt for a full time course in foreign languages right after 10+2. A number of universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia offer courses in foreign languages such as Persian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, German and more. Those who are interested in pursuing higher studies in foreign languages can also opt for PhD in foreign language courses which are offered by select universities in India.
- Beginning early: A number of schools offer foreign language courses as a part of their curriculum. It is best to take up these courses while in school as they provide for a better base and consequently a better grasp over the language.
How much will it cost?
Private companies such as Max and Bajaj charge quite a bit from the students for a certificate course in foreign languages, with the fee varying from language to language. The charges for Mandarin Chinese and Japanese are the highest.
The government universities however charge a minimal fee, and also offer various scholarships for meritorious students.
Job prospects
The global and local markets offer a multitude of job prospects in a number of fields such as tourism, public relations, mass communication, translation, interpretation, embassies, multinational companies, technical translation and decoding. The money that professionals earn varies from organization to organization and also on the work that a person is doing. More so, the government organizations such as the Ministry of External Affairs also offer a number of jobs based on foreign language based communication.
The knowledge of a foreign language opens up a number of avenues for an individual as the individual then serves as a connect between two different communities, two different cultures and economies thereby making the person a much coveted human resource.
