Reading in a Foreign Language: The Ultimate Language Learning Tool?

You’ve probably heard this before if you’ve ever taken a foreign language class. And it’s true, reading truly is one of the best tools out there to really master a foreign language, and here’s why:

You can analyze the grammatical structures and nuances.

When you read in a foreign language, you can analyze how a native speaker employs certain grammatical structures. This, combined with the visual memory reinforcement that reading provides can help you to improve both your speaking and writing in your target language.

You are exposed to a large amount of vocabulary.

Reading is also an exceptional tool when it comes to learning new words. Not only are you able to learn these words, but by reading them in a book or in an article, you are able to see how they are used in context without relying on a translation. This will eventually allow you to express yourself more freely in the language you are learning.

What should I be reading to improve my language skills?

Anything, really. However, there are some types of reading material that are better than others. To start, if you have not been learning your target language for very long, it may be better to read children’s books, as they usually have simplified vocabulary that will be easier for you to understand in the beginning.

As you progress, reading books that you have already read in your native language are another great way that you can use to improve your language skills. It is a fantastic for picking up new words based on context clues and analyzing grammatical structure.

Finally, another useful tip is to follow along with an audiobook. Not only are you getting the benefits that reading in a foreign language provides, but you are also able to hear how a native speaker would pronounce these new words that you are learning. Moreover, you are able to work on your reading and listening comprehension skills simultaneously.

If you really want to improve your reading comprehension as well as your writing skills in another language, try to find material to read in your target language and just see how much you’ll improve!

Bilingualism: Speaking a Foreign Language Can Improve Your Career Prospects

One thing is for sure, the job market can be extremely competitive. You need every possible asset you can have to set yourself apart from other candidates and show your future employer that you are the best person for the job.

Many people are aware that speaking a foreign language is a beneficial skill to have on your resumé, but just what exactly are the workplace advantages that you might have if you are bilingual?

More Job Prospects

Some people think that foreign languages are only beneficial if you are working in fields that require you to speak another language, such as translation or interpretation. However, you can have more job opportunities in several different domains if you speak a foreign language. As more and more businesses move online and open their markets to the rest of the globe, being bilingual, or even multilingual, means that your skills can be a great asset in sectors such as marketing or sales, for example. Between two candidates with roughly the same skill set and amount of experience, the recruiter is likely to choose the person who is proficient in a foreign language if the other candidate is not.

Higher Potential Earnings

It is also important to note that an employee who speaks a foreign language is likely to have a higher salary than their monolingual counterpart. In fact, bilingual or multilingual candidates oftentimes earn between five and twenty percent more than the base salary rate for monolingual candidates. There is an extra advantage if you speak a language that is less common, as proficient speakers of these languages don’t come around every day. Besides English, some of the best languages to learn are Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic which have 879, 436, and 422 million native speakers, respectively.

Career Evolution Opportunities

Not only does being proficient in a foreign language open more job opportunities for candidates, but it can also give you a chance to evolve in your career. If you speak a foreign language, you may have the chance to take your company abroad and represent them in another country. You may also be able to climb the corporate ladder a little faster and earn promotions more quickly than a monolingual candidate.

The advantages to being bilingual or multilingual are endless, and it’s never too late to start learning a foreign language. With time and dedication, anyone can become proficient in a new language, and the benefits will be well worth the effort you put in.