What promise can you fulfil in 2010?
“You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.” (Czech proverb)
If you want to keep up your New Year resoution to learn a language this year, you must keep yourself motivated.
Can you see yourself in any of the following scenarios? Imagine how much better life would be if you could say and understand more.
Family Communication
You can talk to members of your family that come from another country. By speaking their language you can join in family and social occasions, get to know them better and have more fun.
Work
Whether on a long-term overseas assignment or a short business trip, speaking the language at work means you have better conversations and closer relationships with clients and colleagues. Selling or negotiating in the language of your clients can make all the difference in securing business. If you travel, having a grasp of the basics makes life so much easier. How often have you felt you weren’t getting through or suspected you’ve been overcharged?
Doing Business Abroad
If you are setting up or running a business operation overseas it is critical that you speak the local language and understand “how things are done around here”. Even if you just want foreign suppliers, it is crucial to communicate with them in terms they understand. It is also one way to make that initial connection. If you make the effort to speak to them in their mother tongue they are more likely to warm to you and want to help you.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” - Nelson Mandela
Personal Development and Career Progression
The downside of English being so widespread is that speaking English hardly makes you special. Many companies seek a second or even a third language in addition to English for global positions. If your experience is that work meetings are held in English, you will need some knowledge of colleagues’ other languages if you are not to be left out of routine or less formal communication.
Owning a Holiday Home
If you have a bolthole in some far-off land, whether France, Croatia, Spain or Thailand, it will help enormously if you speak the local language. Then you can deal effectively with builders, estate agents, lawyers and local tradesman, making the whole experience much less stressful.
To find out how Robertson Languages International can help you start, improve or master your chosen language, take a look our Languages Training Information or give us a call on +44 118 934 6000
“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning” Gandhi
