Career Preparation

Multilingualism Career Advantages

Proficiency in two world languages not only helps a job seeker stand out, it also open doors to opportunities that those without multiple language skills might miss.

A recent survey from Los Angeles-based recruiter, Korn/Ferry International, found that nearly 9 out of 10 headhunters in Europe, Latin America, and Asia say that being at least bilingual is critical for success in today’s business environment. Sixty-six percent of North American recruiters agreed that being bilingual will be increasingly important in the next 10 years.

In 2014, individuals entering the workforce with second language fluency could expect an additional 10 to 15 percent pay increase. (Ryan McMunn, CEO, BRIC Language Systems)

Research from Rosetta Stone found that people who speak at least two world languages have an average annual household income that’s $10,000 higher than monolingual households. Approximately 17 percent of those who speak at least two world languages earn more than $100,000 a year.

The individual sectors with a strong demand for bilingual workers include finance, government, manufacturing, sales, service industry, and technology among others.

With these statistics in mind, the Live A Language Foundation is working to assure Cincinnati Public School students have the same career “leg-up” as their counterparts in other educational institutions.

World Language Resources

The Ohio Department of Education provides resources for World Language teachers. One of these valuable resources is a series of videos demonstrating the importance of multi and bilingualism in a variety of careers.

The Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) has created a research-based checklist/rubric to assist world language teachers in integrating technology into their curriculum.