Getting ahead at work and language training requirement

While Millennials may be referred to disparagingly as fickle “job-hoppers”, there is no denying that moving to a new position can accelerate the climb up the proverbial career ladder. This is due to a myriad of reasons, including the fact it provides a unique opportunity to acquire new skills, reassert your worth and move into innovative and successful new markets.

When evaluating the next career move, it is particularly important to explore international opportunities. Companies value those who are willing to relocate – it shows flexibility and a willingness to accept challenges. It should be emphasised that the benefit of moving is not only for the employee, but also the whole family. Being able to explore a new culture and learn a new language is highly advantageous to both spouses and children. 

Here are a few things to consider about Language Training:

1. Language training (including your spouse) support offered as part of company expatriation policy

Companies understand that their employees and their spouses will have difficulty settling into a new country without first having had language classes. To this end, language support is offered as part of companies’ expatriations policies.

As an Career Coach & Intercultural Expert, my research published in 2018 showed that offering language training to employees seems to be on the one hand, not only an opportunity for them to learn local language, increasing the comfort level for themselves and family members in their transition, but also a way of building trust when interacting with other people competent in the target language. It also helps assignees develop more effective business relationships and gain greater self-confidence, by discovering the culture in a foundational way that will facilitate their adaptability in the novel cultural environment.

Though the task of learning a language before relocating may seem insurmountable, Eszett Languages, which teaches thousands of expatriates and specialises in relocation language training for all ages, helps to alleviate associated stress, ensuring employees have the language competency to start a new job role with immediate success. For children and spouses, the language training offered by Eszett helps to establish friendships and become quickly accustomed to a new school. Moreover, the increasing uptake of online lessons, and the development of technology (such as virtual classrooms) which facilitate them, ensures lessons can be easily slotted into one’s normal routine. 

2. Which languages you should study first

As one of the most widely spoken second languages in the world, expats often perfect their English before uprooting, however French, or German lessons or courses prove to be crucial for those migrating to countries such as Switzerland or to lucrative job markets.

Being able to converse in at least one other language is a must if one is to show effective leadership and communicate with colleagues and clients globally. Failing to develop linguistic proficiency carries the risk of leaving you isolated from important discussions and can even lose the respect of your peers. In addition to speaking one another’s language, one should also be aware of the main cultural mistakes to avoid when working abroad.

This can vary significantly from country to country; for instance, circumventing the hierarchical structure represents one of the main cultural mistakes to avoid in France or Russia, while in the United Kingdom, managers and their subordinates enjoy an informal working relationship.

In Germany, meanwhile, the working culture consists of high productivity with shorter working hours, and thus small-talk, coffee breaks, or quick glances at one’s phone or the news are frowned upon.

3. Cultural mistakes to avoid

As cultural faux-pas can be detrimental to business, and as companies increasingly champion cultural diversity, cross-cultural training is incredibly important for expats as it constitutes a useful tool which allows individuals to be mindful of differences among themselves, navigate on those differences, develop their global mindset and grow professionally in their role

Learning a language from a native speaker will naturally lend itself to acquiring cultural knowledge, but specifically aimed cultural awareness training also includes enhancing intercultural business strategy, management skills and communication, achieved by explaining cultural values and attitudes in-depth.  

It is understandable that expats feel daunted at the prospect of relocating themselves and their family. Yet any initial trepidation will quickly be overcome when the many benefits of moving reveal themselves.

About the author:

Adelina Stefan – Career Coach, Intercultural Facilitator & Executive Consultant

As a passionate Cross-cultural Expert & Professional Certified Coach, I am committed to helping people identify their own hidden strengths so that they create and implement their unique career blueprint and maintain a healthy work-life integration. Bringing over 10 experience in the field and being an expat myself in several countries, I share my experience with other people sharing similar struggles and catalyse potential in individuals. To learn more about our cross-cultural training & career development coaching services, come on over to meet me and send me a message. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Facebook or book your free clarity call at: http://adelinastefan-ttc.com

 

• Language Training