Knowing a foreign language is an important skill for building a better career. As globalisation brings the world’s cultures closer, international communication and cooperation are growing. Here are the foreign languages worth learning to strengthen your position internationally.
Mandarin: China’s economic growth over the past two decades has made Mandarin an important language. With many jobs in manufacturing and export industries, demand for Mandarin skills has risen, as it has in engineering, finance and logistics. Mandarin Chinese is the mother tongue of more than 810 million people in China and Taiwan, and is widely used in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Mongolia and the Philippines. Adding Mandarin to a CV can therefore lift any candidate. Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages teaches Mandarin Chinese, and some private institutions teach Chinese too.
Arabic: Arabic is essential for workers in the oil industry, the energy sector and high-end construction. There are about 300 million Arabic speakers in 27 countries, and the language can help build a career in the Middle East. Business ties between the Middle East and the UK and US are very strong, so Arabic alongside English can be an excellent route to a better career. In Bangladesh, the world’s fourth-largest Muslim country, the many mosques and madrasas offer plenty of chances to learn Arabic. The Islamic Foundation and Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages are two good-quality Arabic learning centres.
Japanese: Japan, with more than 120 million Japanese speakers, is one of the world’s largest economies and highly advanced in technological innovation, electronics and cars. Learning Japanese is a must for any gadget-related business. For jobs in research and development, manufacturing and engineering, and logistics, Japanese language skills combined with relevant industry skills are given priority. Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages is the best place to learn Japanese.
German: German is the key to a successful career in Europe. It is spoken by more than 100 million people, and widely in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Germany’s economy ranks fourth in Europe, and there is strong demand for professionals in finance, engineering, manufacturing, design and pharmaceuticals. Bangladesh already offers many chances to learn German; the most suitable institutions are Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages and the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, recognised by the German embassy.
Turkish: Turkish is the mother tongue of an estimated 77 million people worldwide, placing it among the 15 most spoken first languages. Outside Turkey there are Turkish speakers in the Balkans, the Caucasus and Western Europe. The largest group of Turkish migrants lives in Germany, where Turkish is the second most spoken language after German. There are many career opportunities in fields as varied as technology, cybersecurity, energy, tourism, finance, law and business. For those interested in public service, there is active recruitment in diplomacy, intelligence and the military, and scholarships and fellowships for students. Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages is a reliable place to learn Turkish in Bangladesh.
Spanish: With more than 480 million native speakers worldwide, Spanish is the official language of 21 countries and a gateway to jobs in the growing markets of Central and South America. Demand is highest in media and banking, with good openings in medicine, social work, education and marketing. In America, 85 percent of employers list Spanish as the most in-demand foreign language. Being fairly close to English, it is easy to pick up. In Bangladesh, Spanish can be learned on part-time and long-term courses at Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages.
Russian: Most of the 250 million Russian speakers worldwide live in Russia; others live in former Soviet republics such as Ukraine, Latvia and Kazakhstan. Russia’s growing economy rests on strong international trade, supply, mining, and oil and energy. Like Germany, Russia is popular for scientific and technical careers, so it can be a paradise for any budding scientist or technologist. Good places to learn Russian are Dhaka University’s Institute of Modern Languages and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture.
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