Speaking French May Earn You a 15 Percent Higher Income

Boost Your Pay by Learning French

Being bilingual can benefit your career and provide you a higher income. There is no way around it; we are all part of a digital world connected through Wi-Fi, modems, and routers. The future now stretches out before us to a fascinating high-tech horizon. As we trek through the 21st century, the world around us becomes smaller, and as it does, every facet of our lives follows suit. The digital revolution has opened the global economy to new frontiers as businesses across the globe are communicating with one another instantly.

Employers and recruiters from companies across the United States are rapidly adding the ability to speak another language to the attributes they look for when interviewing prospective job candidates. A recent article in the New York Post reiterates the idea that speaking two or more languages can elevate your career.

Recently, the demand for bilingual Spanish, Japanese, French, and German speakers has grown drastically. French is one of the most common languages spoken globally. Multiple nations besides France speak French as their native tongue, so being able to communicate with businesses in these countries puts you in an elite category on the job market.

Companies Pay More to Employees Who Speak French

Companies are paying more in order to have a qualified bilingual workforce. According to the New York Post, “Researchers have found it difficult to calculate the overall dollar value of learning a second language since it obviously varies according to field. But it is known that call centers, for example, may pay a 10 percent to 15 percent premium for bilingual workers.”

France is the fifth largest economy in the world and the third most popular destination for foreign investment. When dealing with this key economic partner in the global economy, it is obviously more efficient to conduct business when a company’s workforce is able to speak French. Timing is everything when dealing with international clients, especially since France and the United States sit in distinctly different time zones. As anyone in modern business knows: time is money. You can save both time and money and have stronger client relations if you speak French fluently.

The Advantage of French in the Digital Age

Learning how to speak French doesn’t just give you a second language. French is one of the most used languages on the Internet. In this digital age of business, being able to key and understand French without having to run text through a translator application or website saves valuable time. It gives you an edge over your competition. France and French-speaking countries play an active part in the world economy, accounting for some 20% of world trade in goods.

French, also known as the language of love, is the second most widely learned foreign language after English and the world’s tenth most widely spoken language. So taking the time to learn to speak French will give you opportunities to increase your income and broaden your horizons by giving you that certain je ne sais quoi.

Sources: France Diplomatie