- Home » Moving Abroad News » Expats find learning foreign languages tough
Expats find learning foreign languages tough
Expats find learning foreign languages tough
| Published: | 8 Sep at 9 AM |
New research has revealed that the biggest difficulty for expats when moving overseas is learning the language in their new home.
The study, which was carried out by the Forum for Expatriate Management and language firm Rosetta Stone, found that over 60 per cent of the senior managers who participated in the survey felt the greatest hurdle for an expat to be able to successfully fulfill an assignment was not knowing the local lingo. Over 50 per cent were of the opinion that language skills were crucial when conducting business in an overseas country.
However, the research also discovered that even though it was viewed as essential, just 37 per cent of respondents said their firm offered language training to new workers arriving from overseas. The study revealed that many companies were of the opinion that language training was too time consuming, unnecessary and too expensive.
With China’s rapid rise to become the second largest economy in the world and biggest manufacturer, Mandarin came out as the most popular language to learn among expats. Spanish, French, German and Portuguese also featured highly on the list.
Judy Verses from Rosetta Stone said that it costs in the region of $400,000 to relocate an expat with his or her family so it is crucial they receive the necessary language training to enable them to succeed in their new position.
The study, which was carried out by the Forum for Expatriate Management and language firm Rosetta Stone, found that over 60 per cent of the senior managers who participated in the survey felt the greatest hurdle for an expat to be able to successfully fulfill an assignment was not knowing the local lingo. Over 50 per cent were of the opinion that language skills were crucial when conducting business in an overseas country.
However, the research also discovered that even though it was viewed as essential, just 37 per cent of respondents said their firm offered language training to new workers arriving from overseas. The study revealed that many companies were of the opinion that language training was too time consuming, unnecessary and too expensive.
With China’s rapid rise to become the second largest economy in the world and biggest manufacturer, Mandarin came out as the most popular language to learn among expats. Spanish, French, German and Portuguese also featured highly on the list.
Judy Verses from Rosetta Stone said that it costs in the region of $400,000 to relocate an expat with his or her family so it is crucial they receive the necessary language training to enable them to succeed in their new position.
