Careers in Foreign Languages

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Careers in Foreign Languages

• Audrey Yates
• Spanish/French Teacher
• Braden River High School
• Bradenton, FL
• yatesa_at_manateeschools.net

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BRHS Foreign Language Department

•  Philosophy
• The mission of Braden River High School is The
  mission of Braden River High School is to inspire
  our students with a passion for learning,
  empowered to pursue their dreams confidently and
  creatively while contributing to our community,
  nation, and world.
• Mission
• The Braden River High School Foreign Language
  Department is committed to academic excellence
  through language acquisition by offering students
  an opportunity to broaden cultural
  perspectives and promote communicative skills
  necessary to function in a global economy.

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Learn a foreign language!

• Profiency in a foreign language has become an
  increasingly important asset in an interdependent
  world, a world in which the economy is now
  international and different cultures are
  interconnected by telephone, satellite, and
  computer terminals.
• Students who have added a foreign language skill
  to their résumés have prepared themselves to
  participate in a world economy in which the
  language of business is the customers language.
• Already in the U.S. approximately one out of
  every six manufacturing jobs is related to
  international commerce, and about 20 of U.S.
  industrial output is geared to foreign trade.
• In order for the U.S. to remain competitive in
  world markets, we will need persons trained in
  foreign languages. Journalists, diplomats,
  public relations officers, military personnel,
  medical, social, and agricultural workers will
  play an increasing role in international
  understanding.

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Why study a foreign language?Foreign language
skills

• Provide you with linguistic proficiency and with
  cultural awareness, both very important in many
  professionals and fields
• Build practical skills (for travel or commerce or
  as a tool for other disciplines) and,
• Contribute to achievement of national goals
  (such as economic development or national
  security).
• Also
• Even a limited proficiency in a foreign language
  can count as a distinguishing feather in your cap
  if you present it to future employers in the
  right light.
• The study of two foreign languages will make you
  more marketable yet.

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Language study, anyone?

• Spanish
• French
• Chinese
• German
• Japanese
• Russian
• Arabic

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Spanish

• Hispanic Americans now make up the largest
  minority in the United States.
• In less than 20 years, 1 out of every 4 Americans
  will be of Hispanic descent.
• Spanish is spoken by principle trading partners
  with the U.S.

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Chinese

• Chinese is the language spoken by about ¼ of the
  worlds population.
• China is one of the fastest growing economies and
  one of the biggest trade partners of the U.S.
• Chinese is spoken by those wanting to work for
  companies trading in this enormous consumer
  market.

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French

• French parent companies in South Carolina employ
  over 14,000 people. Companies such as Beneteau,
  Rhodia, Inc., and Michelin are all present in SC.
• Those interested in French Language and
  Literature, Art and History and their integral
  links to American culture, could teach or do
  research on a variety of levels.
• Also, French would be beneficial for those
  wanting to work in the fashion industry.

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German

• German is the language of the economic giant of
  Europe.
• German is spoken in Germany, Austria and most of
  Switzerland
• Germany has the deepest and most extensive
  economic ties to U.S. commerce. In South Carolina
  alone, German parent companies employ over 20,000
  people.

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Japanese

• Japan interacts economically with every other
  country in the world.
• Japan is a world leader in information science
  and technology.
• Knowing Japanese would be beneficial to someone
  hoping to work and compete in the world of
  business, engineering, and science.

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Russian

• Russian is spoken by millions of people from
  Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean.
• Beneficial to those interested in international
  affairs and business opportunities in the East.
• Beneficial to those interested in science and
  mathematics where Russia still leads.

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Arabic

• The study of Arabic is now a US national
  priority.
• Arabic is the language of more than 200 million
  people in the world. It is also a language
  utilized by twenty-four non-Arab Muslim countries
  with a population of about one billion people
• Students of international business, political
  science, international law and the humanities can
  benefit tremendously from studying Arabic.
• There is world-wide interest in the economies of
  the Arab countries because of the production of
  oil and related petro-chemical industries.
  Two-thirds of the worlds known oil reserves are
  in the Middle East.

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International firms in SC by parent company

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ireland

• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Luxembourg
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Norway
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom

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The Marketable Skills of Language Majors

• Interviewing people of different nationalities.
• Considering cultural preference in designing
  commercial products or planning cities.
• Adapting educational programs, publicity, or
  advertising to the cultural background of the
  clientele or audience.

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Potential Careers in Foreign Languages

• International Lawyer
• Travel Consultant
• Tour Guide
• Fabric Importer
• Language Teacher
• Literary Translator
• Interpreter
• Linguist
• International Business Facilitator
• Foreign Exchange Director
• Foreign Language Editor
• Cross-Cultural Trainer
• International Literary Scout
• Immigration Lawyer
• plus many more!

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In conclusion

• Because of recent business and social trends
  (expansion of U.S. companies overseas, as well as
  international companies in the U.S.) and economic
  power shifts, the corporate recruitment of
  bilingual employees has ballooned and they can
  command excellent pay. Be ready, get skilled,
  and get a career by choice, not by chance!

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Credits

• Additional information was taken from the
  following web sites
• http//www.cofc.edu/languages/
• http//www.mpls.k12.mn.us/departments/tis/world_l
  anguages/
• http//www.arabia.com/
• http//www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ind
  ex.html
• http//www.sccommerce.com/InternationalFirm.html