Towson University’s Outreach Blog

Clay

The world we live and work in today is a much smaller place than it was even just a few years ago.  Advances in telecommunications and transportation technologies have increased international and cross-cultural interactions among people and businesses.  Each of us is impacted personally by these effects of globalization because we increasingly find that our colleagues, customers and friends come from different cultures or may even be in different countries.  This fact makes the ability to speak a second, or even a third language a great advantage in both our professional and private lives.

Recently, on Foreign Languages Day (November 18, 2009) during International Education Week, I had the opportunity to address two beginning Chinese language classes at Towson University to share some of my experiences as a bilingual businessperson.  A unique opportunity I had during my college years allowed me to learn Mandarin Chinese in a two-year, sink-or-swim total immersion environment that only whetted my appetite for learning the Chinese language and culture.  This pursuit ultimately focused my career in a way in which working in a multicultural and multilingual environment became a daily reality.

While not everyone will have the same opportunity I had to immerse themselves in another language and culture, each of us can (and should) create our own unique opportunities in this “smaller world.”  The benefits of being fluent (or even just conversant) in more than one language are numerous, including many personal, social and professional opportunities.  Opening our minds to new ways of thinking not only enriches us personally but also can help the organizations we work for (or want to work for) manage in this global environment.  The ability to manage a diverse workforce and client base makes us even more employable.

from stock.xchng by dogmadic

Businesses of all sizes need bilingual capabilities in this globally interconnected economy.  They can create a competitive advantage with bilingual owners and employees.  However, knowing another language alone will not guarantee success.  Learning the culture—customs, traditions and social norms—can be just as important in understanding a “foreign” people and business environment. With such language and cultural capabilities, organizations will be able to communicate more clearly to a broader global market.  Companies and individuals in touch with a wider variety of cultures may very well have the upper hand over the competition.

Young or old, there are many ways to gain fluency in a new language if you have the passion to learn.  Universities are expanding language offerings and language programs and software are available from a variety of sources.  You also should look outside your immediate circle to make bilingual friends to converse and learn.  If you have a real passion to learn, you should take advantage of travel opportunities, study abroad programs, volunteer programs, the Peace Corps, etc. to gain valuable language and cultural experiences.

Even though I learned the fairly challenging Chinese language, it is past time for me to learn another language… to learn Spanish.