Language-learning and its leverage in the workplace.

The scope of language-learning

Some people proclaim themselves as a language-learner, some already do it unintentionally. But, what does language-learning?really?entail?

According to the Language Network for Quality Assurance (LanQua), language-learning is defined as developing the ability to communicate in the second / foreign language. The extent of your competence in that language varies, depending on the purpose:

Language learning for specialists

• Examples of usage: translating and interpreting.

Language learning for non‐specialists or service languages

• Examples of usage: may have a focus on specific topics such as German for Law.

Languages for instruction, including teaching

• Examples of usage:?teaching of the language/s of a host university to non‐native speakers.

Language learning for social purposes

• Examples of usage: language learning for employability, travel, heritage/family reasons.

Most of us will likely fall under the category of language learning for social purposes, though one category is not exclusive of others.

Learn more about language-learning, and how it is often used in the Higher Education area?here .

Tolerance of ambiguity

The benefits of being fluent in 2 languages or more can be pretty obvious—watching a foreign movie without having to read subtitles, traveling without needing to pay for an interpreter, avoiding the hassle of using translating apps, and countless more.

An applied linguist, Amy Thompson, has observed that learning multiple languages can have cognitive and emotional benefits, beyond just their practical counterparts mentioned above. It comes in two main forms:?

• Cultural Competence;?it opens people’s eyes to a way of doing things in a way that’s different from their own.
• Boosts your social intelligence.?As you learn about other cultures, it helps you learn non-explicit information from their environments, including meaningful gestures or other social cues.
• Analyzing cultural stereotypes.?Learning a new language will help you develop new ways of understanding culture. It challenges your critical thinking of stereotypes related to food, appearance and conversation styles.
• Tolerance of Ambiguity; it relates to the comfort level of a person when dealing with unfamiliar situations.
• Converting fear into fun.?Someone with a high tolerance of ambiguity will find unfamiliar situations exciting rather than frightening—especially when more than one language is involved. This applies in the workplace as well.
• Conversing in the dark.?Those with a high tolerance of ambiguity would feel comfortable maintaining a conversation despite unfamiliar words being involved, which helps with the flow of conversation.

Read more on how bilingualism leads to higher entrepreneurial skills and eventually higher salaries, in the full think-piece?here .

Techniques to implement

Are you the type to pick up languages quicker and easier than others? Or are you the opposite? Regardless of how well your linguistic skills are today, you can always improve them.?

Having no time in between your busy work schedule is no excuse. Try out the following language-learning method that you can smoothly incorporate into your work days:

1. Create a language learning schedule that fits your work schedule.?If you only have five minutes a day, make sure you stick to that five minutes and make it work for you. Make sure your schedule is realistic and achievable.
2. Make some goals for yourself.?These can be anything from knowing a certain set of words to being able to use a grammar point conversationally. Don’t forget to track your progress and identify the areas you struggle with the most.
3. Practice your conversational skills with native speakers in your workplace.?This helps with?gaining confidence and putting the pieces of the language you’re learning together. You can even set up a mini language exchange.
4. Listen in on your coworkers speech patterns.?You’ll?get a better idea of how certain words are meant to be pronounced or used in conversation. You can also try to shadow or mimic the techniques your coworkers often use.

Find more effective ways and even more valuable reasons to learn a new language at work?here .

How many languages do you currently speak, including regional and international ones? And, how fluent are you in any of them?

Though being bilingual or even multilingual might be a common, taken-for-granted thing to have, you can always use it to your advantage, especially at work.

Don’t forget to loop your coworkers in with?Monday Mavens?so they, too, can conquer their week ahead by taking insights from our editions.

See you next Monday!?