Speaking like a native – do language skills matter?

The ability to speak French, German or even Mandarin may be a valuable skill but you are a much stronger candidate with additional experience or qualifications to complement your language ability. This is one of the conclusions from the Guardian Careers Q&A session recently – “Will language skills help you stand out in the job market?” Readers put questions to experts such as the admissions officer from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, a professor of French and the managing director of Rosetta Stone. Advice to language graduates was often to make sure they developed complementary skills during or after their first degree. The advantages that languages skills do give you are described as “increased cultural awareness, or even improved mental dexterity through being able to think in two languages…also demonstrable communication skills - both in your first and second languages.” For a very comprehensive debate and advice read the article at http://careers.guardian.co.uk/language-skills-job-market