How important is it to learn another language?

by Ben Tipton

Ben Tipton relaxing after work at his summer job at Siemens VDO

How important is a foreign language when you are looking for a job? Obviously, this can be a tough question to answer.  Not all jobs have an international component…do they? 

This company has operations all over the world in areas including Mexico, Canada and Germany.  The company also does business with other automotive entities in Europe as well as in the Americas.  Although I mainly worked in a cubicle, I gained some insights into the office culture.  The guys I worked with were always busy on the phone, at meetings and traveling.  Even something as mundane as a phone conversation was surreal, simply because my neighbor would be on the phone speaking in German and a row over I’d hear someone on a conference call, only in Spanish.  Maybe globalization does exist…

I wanted to gain fresh perspectives on this topic, so I questioned some of my coworkers, a few of whom wish to remain anonymous.  Based on their job experience, I asked if having foreign language skills is important or desirable in the work environment and why? 

Mathias Warmbrunn, Director at Siemens VDO Automotive answered, “In my opinion foreign language skills are a must. Everywhere you look, the competition becomes global. Usually a person who knows a foreign language has also traveled and experienced other cultures and people. This makes it easier to function well in international teams.”  The ‘experiencing other cultures’ theme came up often. 

Our anonymous John Doe sand that just being able to speak the languageproperly is not enough in the business world.  If you actually wish to be successful, you need to know the slang.  According Mr. Doe, you need to live in the country for at least three years to grasp local slang and you need to stay in contact to stay current. 

The second question I asked my co-workers was all about the Benjamins! Would language skills lead to higher pay?

Although the answer was NO, it seems that people with a foreign language skill may still have the upper hand.  All who answered said it is an awesome tool for opportunity.  Mathias agrees, “A foreign language is an enabler. It makes it easier to get a foreign assignment and makes you more marketable, increases your chances.” Say that two people are going head to head for one position, the job will go to the person with the language skills because, obviously, he or she can do international business and is more qualified.   

Sometimes jobs won’t even be available to people if they don’t have other language skills.  Michael Racine, EA Group Siemens VDO Automotive, explains, “I have, however, seen a couple of choice positions that were available only to someone with a fluent understanding of a foreign language (one Spanish, one German, and two Japanese positions).”

I also wondered if my coworkers who were not knowledgeable in a foreign language wish they had studied earlier in their lives.  The majority answered yes.  It seems to be a strong seller to large companies looking for people who can do business abroad.  Amazingly, some of my coworkers who are already fluent in more than one language wish they had started on a third.

I left one last question open for interpretation.  Although all of us here at MSU may stab our eyes out if we hear the term “globalization” again, the reality is it’s happening.  Eventually, will we all be required to be fluent in another language?  Although some I questioned indicated that English will prevail, a foreign language just might be required to get by in the workplace for us.  Mr. Warmbrunn explains, “I think that in a few years, foreign language skills will be a necessary tool (like computer skill) if you want to make a career (also in the US).”

Interestingly enough, I have always been the person in school who doesn’t want to take a foreign language because I used to see it as a complete waste of time.  Needless to say, my views have drastically changed.  It appears I will have more opportunities in the future if I just take the classes now.  Thanks to all of my friends and coworkers at Siemens VDO Automotive, I am taking Spanish or German in the near future…most likely Spanish. My roommate speaks it fluently…maybe he could do my homework…just kidding.  Lebewohl and adios!