Foreign language courses | A handy guide to knowing everything about it

Foreign language courses: Here’s your complete guide

If you like exploring the globe’s diverse culture through different languages and accents, then taking up one of the many available foreign language courses is the way to go. As a matter of fact, these courses help you enhance your global perspective and broaden your career avenues, regardless of which language you choose to study.

In addition to this, pursuing a foreign language course paves the way to acquire fantastic job opportunities, build global connections, and gain knowledge of different cultures and people. So, here is all you need to know about various foreign language courses and what they entail.

Why opt for foreign language courses?

All in all, the best and most effective way of learning a foreign language is to take up one of the many foreign language courses after completing class 12th. As a matter of fact, the curriculum of these courses enables learners to speak a language with fluency and confidence.

Additionally, you can also enrol in a diploma, certificate, or bachelor’s course in the language of your choice. Here are some of the primary reasons for opting for foreign language courses –

• Enhances cognitive thinking.
• Helps in establishing cross-cultural relations and connections.
• Additionally, enables easy adjustment in foreign countries.
• It also amplifies cultural perspective.
• Encourages learning and understanding. 
• It opens up a plethora of career opportunities.

Eligibility criteria for foreign language courses

The eligibility criteria for foreign language courses vary based on the college and university you choose. Some of the standard entry requirements include –

• For a bachelor’s program, you must have a high school completion certificate from a recognized board of education. Typically, the duration of this course is three years.
• For a master’s program, you must have completed your graduation in the same language. Also, every college has its minimum GPA requirement.  Usually, the duration of this course is two years.
• For a certificate or diploma course, all you need to do is submit the academic transcripts of your previously acquired degrees. 

Top foreign languages to study

Some of the top foreign languages to study these days include –

#1. French

Known for being the language of romance, fashion, and philosophy, French is widely spoken in several countries worldwide, such as Switzerland, France, Canada, and Morocco. With over 200 million people around the globe speaking French, it can prove to be an excellent choice for taking up a course.

#2. Russian

Known as Europe’s most prominent native language, Russian is spoken by more than 260 million people worldwide. By acquiring fluency in the language, you can easily avail a wide range of job opportunities available in Russia’s engineering, defence, and oil and gas industries. 

#3. German

Known for being the language of music and art in Germany, more than 100 million people speak German. Being the second most popular language in Europe and Japan and the third most popular worldwide, learning this language can benefit those planning to work abroad, especially in Germany and the United States.

#4. Italian

Associated with culinary dishes, fashion, art, and some of the top brands, Italian serves as the first language for around 90 million people around the globe. With the rapidly growing popularity of top Italian companies, such as Benetton, Gucci, Ferrari, etc., you can explore numerous promising career prospects.

#5. Spanish

Known for being the world’s second most spoken language and one of the easiest languages, Spanish is a very beneficial language to learn. You can pursue several job opportunities if you gain proficiency in this language.

#6. Japanese

With more than 120 million speakers worldwide, Japanese is a popular language among students from across the globe. With many big Japanese brands like Sony, Toyota, Toshiba, Honda, and Mitsubishi expanding their operations, learning this language can be a valuable addition to your career.

#7. Mandarin Chinese

With the Chinese economy growing rapidly, Mandarin has become a popular language among international students. It is spoken by around 1,000 million people and is counted among the most demanding and challenging languages to learn due to its confusing tonal nature and complex writing system. 

#8. Arabic

Serving as a native language for more than 300 million people across 26 countries, Arabic is the world’s fifth most spoken language. Once you become fluent in Arabic, you can explore a myriad of exciting job opportunities in Dubai, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and various other countries.

#9. Korean

Korean has become quite popular among foreign languages due to the ever-increasing popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop music. Learning Korean is a great way to gain an edge in the job market.

#10. Portuguese

Serving as the world’s sixth most widely spoken language, Portuguese is spoken by around 300 million people worldwide. With origins similar to those of Spanish, it is not that difficult to learn.

Top foreign language courses after 12th

Some of the significant foreign language courses you can take up after 12th include –

• BA in French
• BA in German
• Bachelor’s in Russian
• BA in Persian
• BA in Spanish
• Bachelor of Arts in Italian
• BA in Turkish Language and Literature
• BA Japanese
• Bachelor’s degree Hons in Pushto

Top universities to study foreign language courses

Here is a list of some of the top universities worldwide to study foreign language courses.

University	Languages
University of Oxford	French and German
Michigan State University	Russian, Chinese, French, Japanese, and Arabic
University of California, Berkeley	Slavic languages
The Australian National University	Arabic
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies	Japanese
University of Bristol	Italian and Czech
University of Winnipeg	Asian languages
Arizona University	Persian, Iranian, Latin, and French
University of Warwick	French
The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Chinese
University of Auckland	Spanish

Significant benefits of pursuing foreign language courses

There are several pros of studying foreign language courses, such as –

#1. Making connections

Gaining proficiency in a new language enables you to communicate with people from different parts of the world, which can be a great way to make international connections and grow your network.

#2. Earning money

Learning new languages will make your profile stand out among the rest, opening up several new and lucrative job opportunities with high-paying salaries.

#3. Boosting your creativity

Learning new languages requires creativity. The process can help promote not only your creativity but also your communication skills and confidence. 

Key takeaways

In conclusion of the blog –

• Foreign language courses have become quite popular among international students from all around the world. 
• As a matter of fact, the popularity of these courses arises from the wide range of rewarding career opportunities associated with them. 
• All in all, Students who complete a course in a foreign language can easily avail an array of incredible jobs. 
• So, buckle up and choose your favorite foreign language for a rewarding academic venture.
• In addition to this, if you want more details on the courses, please get in touch with us today!

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FAQs

Question 1: After completing foreign language courses, what kinds of jobs and career opportunities can I pursue?

All in all, some of the most popular career options include translator jobs, international sales marketing, interpreter, lecturer, hotel manager, flight attendant, and jobs in embassies.

Question 2: Can I take up foreign language courses online?

As a matter of fact, yes. Several colleges and universities offer a wide range of foreign language courses online that you can take up.

Question 3: Which are the most popular foreign language courses?

All in all, there are many languages that students pursue nowadays. However, the most popular foreign language courses are French, German, Italian, and Russian.