Bilingualism and Communication in the Workplace

Individuals who are equipped with proficiency in various languages can gain career advancement in the workplace. Communication is very vital in any type of business organization or institution. Today's workplaces have evolved to accommodate all type of workers or employees coming from various cultural orientations. Hence, businesses may expect some of their personnel to be speaking Spanish for example. Those who are occupying supervisory and managerial positions have to be able to communicate well with their subordinates in the language that they can understand. Although English may be the official language, there are companies that employ people with Hispanic culture and language for example.

Employees or workers may be required to make use of the official language in the workplace only but company supervisors and managers know that explaining things or giving instructions through the use of the Spanish language may be better. Members of an organization may yield better output and results if they really have understood what is expected of them. Being bilingual may help individuals in attaining the next higher step in their careers especially if they can use their proficiency in Spanish, Mandarin or other major languages of the world for the benefit of their companies or organizations.

More and more businesses are expanding their markets as well and they need more people who can understand the local language spoken by most people in a particular place. Businesses have to adapt to the changing profiles of their target market in order to reach out to them. They can only do this if they hire the right people who know the language very well. More firms are also looking for people coming from various cultural backgrounds as they can contribute to the attainment of objectives such as expanding or penetrating new markets.

Companies also know that individuals who are able to speak two or more languages can perform better in the workplace. Studies indicate that abilities of workers or employees can also be gauged by their use of other languages other than their own mother language. They may expect better work output from these individuals as they are able to display better cognitive functions that are needed in specific kinds of work.

Individuals who know Spanish and any other language may be able to land in better jobs as well. Those who are already working may find themselves climbing up the corporate ladder. People who would like to advance in their career or to be promoted to higher positions in the workplace have continue acquiring useful skills especially those that can be used for better communication.