How Foreign Language Skills Help MBAs

Updated March 14, 2021 Updated March 14, 2021

This article is sponsored by the University of St. Gallen, a leading European business school based in Eastern Switzerland. Check out their international MBA program.

Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language

For job seekers, knowing a foreign language helps you and your CV stand out amongst the crowd. Why are so many companies looking for bilingual job candidates? Many of them are expanding their operations beyond the US, and are looking for people who can communicate with their non-English speaking clients and employees. Global expansion is expected to occur more frequently, since US companies will need to partner with companies in the BRIC countries (where tech development has increased) in order to stay competitive in industries such as aircraft and green energy. Foreign language skills can build the relationships that lead to these partnerships. Knowing a foreign language is particularly helpful if you work for a company that's based in another country, you work for a company that's doing business abroad, or if you manage employees who do not speak English as their first language.

If aspire to be a global manager, speaking a second language will give you a much better sense of proper business communications within another country's culture. Not only does a second language help you communicate better with people of other cultures, it also makes you a more effective communicator in your own language. In addition, studying another language gives you a much better understanding of other cultures, ideas, and values. This understanding, as well as a demonstrated appreciation of another culture, can help you as you do business overseas.

For example, if you study German, you'll learn that business is more formal in Germany than it is in the US; a handshake signals that a business deal has just been made and missing a deadline is considered out of the question. The farther you get from your home country, the bigger the differences in business culture.

You don't need to be fluent in a second language to reap the benefits. In terms of knowing about cultural differences, knowing another language gives you insight into the ways you could potentially offend people. To clients, speaking another language, even imperfectly, signals that you made an effort to understand their culture and language. Even a short conversation can go a long way toward building customer relationships, which in turn can help you build your career. Speaking another language can also help you build your soft skills, since it allows you to greet and meet with clients. Speaking another language allows clients to see you in another, more positive light, which helps you keep those clients.

Even if you use a translator, speaking another language is still an asset. It can help you identify mistranslations, and pick up on things people are saying that they don't think you understand.

Higher salaries are another potential benefit of knowing a second language. According to a 2010 Guardian article, knowing a foreign language can increase your salary by 10% to 15%.

As an MBA, knowing a foreign language will help you if you go on an international trip, something that is becoming a requirement at more and more MBA programs, or intern overseas. It also makes you globally savvy -- a quality that more employers have come to expect from MBA job candidates. More employers expect MBAs to speak multiple languages and work overseas. In fact, travelling overseas is often a pre-requisite for working in an advanced management position. If you choose to pursue a marketing career, understanding another language will help you better market products overseas.

Language Learning Tips

For the basics, such as vocabulary and common phrases, try listening to free podcasts and taking free language lessons on the web. For a list of free online classes in over 40 languages, check out this Open Culture article.

Watch foreign language programs on cable. Many local cable packages now include foreign language channels. NYC cable viewers, for example, have access to channels in several languages including Spanish, Korean, and Japanese. International broadcasters, such as NHK and DW, are also good sources for free online language lessons.

Read foreign language news websites. Newspaper websites are particularly good for language learners because they tend to use a more general, lower-level vocabulary than short stories or poems. Since newspapers cover a variety of topics, you will probably find a story that interests you.

Take language classes. In addition to universities and community colleges, there may be an adult school or language school in your area that offers lessons. You can find local language schools by searching on city guide websites such as Yelp.

Practice your language at local conversation groups. Meetup.com has many language-related groups worldwide and you can also find conversation groups on Facebook. To find these groups, seach for terms like "language exchange", "conversation exchange", and "conversation club". Another resource for finding local conversation partners is Couchsurfing. In addition to providing accommodations, Couchsurfing has local meetings where you may be able to find people to converse with, even if it's just a native speaker who is passing through your town.

Investigate the resources available at your local library. In addition to foreign language CDs and DVDs, many libraries also offer foreign language books and movies. You may also be able to find foreign language magazines and newspapers. If you don't have time to visit the library in-person, many libraries how offer free online language courses or allow you to language courses or books to your iPod or Kindle

Watch foreign movies with subtitles. Then, watch them again without the subtitles to see if you can make sense of the language. You can also do this with TV shows that are dubbed in a foreign language, like the Simpsons or Sex & the City. You can buy the DVDs or use the SAP button on your remote while the program is on the air to hear the dubbed version.

Join an online language exchange. Websites such as My Language Exchange allow you to search for online conversation partners based on gender and interests. You can talk to your new language partner via chat, email or Skype, and maybe even meet in person.

Language Learning Resources

Instituto Cervantes (Spanish)

Instituto Cervantes is a language school and cultural center endorsed by the Spanish government. In addition to language classes and libraries in cities worldwide, Instituto Cervantes also has several online resources available to Spanish learners including an online radio station and TV station with Spanish language programming.

Alliance Francaise (FrenchThe Alliance Francaise is an organization dedicated to promoting the French language and culture. Alliance Francaise chapters host French classes as well as speakers, cultural events and conversation groups. They also offer online French classes in conjunction with Middlebury College.

Goethe Institut (German)

The Goethe Institut has five US locations that offer language classes, as well as distance learning classes. Those willing to study in Germany can take German courses for professionals, which also cover etiquette and cultural differences. In terms of cultural events, the Goethe Institut hosts book club discussions, films, and networking events.

Japan Foundation (Japanese)

The Japan Foundation organizes language courses which discuss different aspects of Japanese culture. They also host exhibits and films.

This article is sponsored by the University of St. Gallen, a leading European business school based in Eastern Switzerland.

Check out their international MBA

This article was originally published in June 2013 . It was last updated in March 2021

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Written by

Nicole Willson

Nicole is the SEO manager of TopMBA.com, as well as a contributing author. She holds a BA in history and sociology, and a master's in library science. Aside from her work for QS, Nicole is a long-time contributing editor and administrator for WikiHow.

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