If it’s opportunity you’re looking for, if you want to shake up how you see the world, or even just see more of it, then maybe it’s time to learn another language. There is no doubt acquiring a second or third language can be challenging, but there are huge benefits for work, pleasure, and health reasons.
Career opportunities skyrocket when you have another language. In these tough economic times people need to make their CVs unique and significant. Multi-lingual employees are more bang for their buck for their employers, and many companies reward staff who use the additional languages in their career with higher salaries.
Irish companies need people with second languages to create and maintain business in and with foreign-speaking countries. European languages such as German, French, or Spanish are in huge demand as the economy in Continental Europe improves, and as both Africa and South America become more open to foreign business. Meanwhile foreign companies need employees who speak their language as well as English to help expand their businesses into Ireland and other English-speaking countries. Not only are the European languages in demand, but so are Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, Japanese, and Arabic. Irish employees with second languages are in particular demand as Ireland has a strong positive image abroad that people are aware of and can relate to. The demand for Multi-lingual Irish employees has never been higher.
Of course second languages aren’t just for work. Knowing the language of the country you are travelling in can make your holiday much easier to enjoy, and connects people in a social and cultural way. By speaking the local language you are more likely to be treated better because the locals see that you’ve made an effort to learn their language. This makes a difference in the way you see the world and other people. When learning a foreign language you also gain insight into the culture and character of a people. In a sense, language can be considered as the verbal expression of culture.
But it’s not all just work and play, learning another language is good for you and has been shown to improve memory and cognitive skills. Often when learning a second language many people discover they start paying more attention to English grammar and expand their vocabulary.
With formal instruction and a community of fellow learners to practice speaking with, part-time and evening classes are a great way to learn a language. There are excellent language classes all over Ireland. Sandford Languages Institute in Dublin offers over 30 languages to choose from. Classes vary from 10 to 14 weeks and start at approximately €200.
Procad Training in Limerick offers 12-week evening courses in several different languages, many of which are targeted for business specifically and most are offered at €350. The Cork Institute of French has courses in French, German, Italian, and Japanese at six different levels for 10 weeks and at an approximate fee of €140.
Distance education schools such as Kilroy’s College offer language courses as well and special care taken to ensure pronunciation is practiced and evaluated by a tutor. Kilroy’s College offers diploma courses in both French and Spanish that start at €535 and run from six months to a year.
Learning a second language isn’t easy, it takes time and commitment, but in the long run it provides opportunities at work and offers new perspectives on the world. To see a wide range of languages courses why not take a look on our languages courses category of Findacourse.ie
