Learning a foreign language comes with a plethora of benefits. It plays a critical role in personal and professional development. The benefits of learning a second language include career opportunities, cultural awareness, and it is going to help you when in travel. However, learning a new language is expensive and time-consuming. You should therefore make a prudent decision in making your choice.
Mandarin Chinese
China is becoming a global power, though not necessarily a superpower. This new position comes with many opportunities. It means that one can engage with China for various business opportunities. It is estimated that China has a population of at least 1.3 billion people, and some segments of this population provide a ready market for various products and services.
The Census Bureau, US, sees significant trade prospects with China. If you are based in the US, you can source goods from China and sell them in the US. Many of the things in China are affordable more so if you buy them in bulk. Other benefits of learning Chinese include the ability to appreciate Chinese food, travel opportunities, and explore Chinese movies.
French
Unlike emerging language powers such as Chinese, French has been studied for many years. France colonized many countries, and it left behind its influence. Countries, where French is widely spoken, include DRC, Canada, Switzerland, and Rwanda. For people desiring to work in international organizations, French is an extra asset in the recruitment process. As a matter of fact, established organizations such as the United Nations use both English and French for their correspondence.
France is an ideal destination for higher education. Many of the institutions offer high-quality education, yet, at an affordable rate. Universities such as The Sorbonne are one of the best in the world.
German
For an English speaker, the German language is easier to learn. Both languages have similar intonation, sounds, and stress. German universities offer high-quality education, and many of them do not charge tuition fees.
Germany has a very rich history and culture. The country has been a major European leader in different aspects of life such as industrialization. With the German language, you will have adventurous travels in the country.
The German language is spoken in other countries as well. These include Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Austria. There are minorities speaking in German in countries such as Paraguay, Australia, and South Africa.
Spanish
There are more than 400 million people in the world who speak Spanish. With Spanish, you are going to communicate effectively with Spanish speakers. This is the second most spoken language in the US.
By studying Spanish, you can access the Latin American market which has a high population, and Spanish is widely spoken. Latin America is an important trading partner to the US due to its proximity. In addition to that, you can study Spanish, master it, and proceed to teach it.
Arabic
With Arabic, you are going to access the opportunities that are provided by the Arabic countries (the GCC). Two of the most important things provided by GCC are employment and trade opportunities. The salaries in GCC countries are highly regarded, and a Western education provides immense benefits. Countries such as UAE provide many trade benefits. The relationship between Qatar and its neighbors has improved and this comes with more opportunities.
By studying Arabic, you are going to be exposed to rich Arabic literature. Countries such as the UAE are dream travel destinations. Now that the countries are safe, you will not have a shortage of places to explore in the Middle East.
Conclusion
Before you make the choice of the language to learn, do thorough research bearing in mind the objectives you have in mind. In particular, do a comprehensive search on the target geographic allocation, and determine the most relevant language spoken there. You will not have many chances of learning a new language, and thus, you should make the right choice.
Fortunately, there are many avenues of learning a new language. If you are able to combine face-to-face lessons with the backup of online resources, you are going to experience optimal learning outcomes.