What language should i learn for International Business major?

Log in to reply
A

angela.shiflett

Free Member
Jun 2, 2011
1
0
  • #1
    [FONT=arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif]I'm going to mizzou this coming year and am planning on majoring in international business. I had an interest in learning Russian, however i'm not sure that would be the soundest option as russia does not seem to be an economic powerhouse. I'm also considering Chinese or Japanese but i'm not sure. Also, considering almost all business is international now, do you think such a major would be useless and instead i should get a MBA in business administration or marketing?[/FONT]
     
    A

    alanjacks

    Free Member
    Jun 2, 2011
    152
    15
  • #2
    I agree with Cbell, Chinese would be a good bet as they are only on the up and steadily gaining momentum. Although obviously its a lot harder learning a language with entirely different letters and symbols, rather than say learning a European language like Spanish. Although Spanish is quite widely spoken too.
     
    Last edited:
    Upvote 0
    M

    maryperez478

  • #3
    [FONT=arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif]In learning any language, there is no distinction in the best or the worst in its usefulness, no duration limit in how long it takes to be fully proficient, and no age limit in when a person can learn a foreign language. Also, regardless of the level of difficulty, it is not impossible for anyone to learn a new language, either by another person who teaches you or by self-learning. But one thing for sure is you really need three things that are essential for learning another language: adequate and appropriate learning resources, understanding of the way you learn, and passion of learning.[/FONT]
     
    Upvote 0
    Simply Clicks

    Simply Clicks

    Free Member
    Jun 3, 2008
    162
    34
    Kent
  • #4
    I'm guessing based on 30 years of working for and with multinational companies that the following heirarchy applies:

    1. English
    2. Spanish
    3. French
    4. German
    5. Japanese
    6. Mandarin

    The question is not one of MBA versus foreign languages but where do you see your career going. I have lectured on an International MBA that expected students to develop a functional grasp of English, Spanish and Mandarin with fluency in at least 2. The cost was £40,000 back in 2004.
     
    Upvote 0
    M

    Marcus.S

  • #6
    I'm over intermediate/ advanced level in Chinese and have studied the language for two years. I definitely think that it's a good language to learn if you want to live in China or work daily with Chinese people, but I don't know how useful it is in Europe, a lot of people from Hong Kong and other parts of China can already speak really good English and they are also studying abroad/ working in Europe and America. I think the experience that you have just been in China is more valuable. It takes a lot of time to be fluent in the language, but you'll need to be patient and actually be here so you can speak and use it every day.

    They have a similar test to TOEFL and IELTS called HSK.
    HSK is an abbreviation of Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi in Chinese written as 汉语水平考试. Check it out here chinesetesting.cn


    I think that Portugese would be interesting to learn, Brazil and Portugal both have Portugese as a mother language and if you once have learned Portugese, it won't be hard to learn Spanish. A lot of American people can already speak Spanish, but not many can speak Portugese. (I'm thinking about people who have English as their mother language).

    From Wikipedia: "According to estimates by UNESCO, Portuguese and Spanish are the fastest-growing European languages after English and the language has the highest potential for growth as an international language in southern Africa and South America."


    My benefits from learning Chinese:

    - It's easier to do business in China if I can communicate using their own language. Sometimes suppliers can barely speak English. Misunderstandings can be a disaster for you and your company if problems will occur according to communication problems.

    - China has a population of 1,3 billion people, only in Cambodia there are around 1 million Chinese people (A lot of them doing business) and also in Thailand there are a lot of Chinese. A lot of people say that people from Hong Kong can't speak Mandarin Chinese but that's a myth. I spoke Mandarin Chinese all the time when I was there. In Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia they also speak Chinese. The Chinese people are also moving out, to do business in Africa but also in South America.

    - A lot of Swedish companies are moving out such as Volvo and SAAB. Atlas Copco's head office is here in Shanghai, and you can find a lot of other heavy weights such as ABB and SKF. If I one day will start to work as an Engineer, I can be a link with China.

    -Although most of the high paid CEO's from Europe/ America living in Shanghai can't speak a word Chinese, I still think it's worth to know the language and it would be boring to live here if I even can't communicate with the taxidrivers or with the person that I buy fruit from.

    I have been on site here for 2 years now, so I will be more than happy to answer questions regarding the Chinese culture, questions about studying the language or Chinese business.

    The languages except English that I want to learn (be fluent in):

    1. Mandarin Chinese
    2. German (Because I once started, but then I stopped! It's similar to Swedish and English so not very hard to learn, it is also a big trading country)
    3. Portugese (Then learn Spanish when I know the language)


    I will get an article published for a UK business website regarding China import, I can paste the link in a thread when it will be published.

    再见!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Lizzbess
    Upvote 0
    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    Free Member
    Jun 15, 2011
    36
    0
    Capital cities, here, there and everywhere.
  • #8
    1. MANDARIN CHINESE 2. ARABIC

    2005 in Kuwait, one day, as I sat in an office of the Director, British Council, discussing world economics, he seriously stated that in less than 10 years China was going to bypass and completely overcome America in business and money matters. Thus, my son learned Mandarin from military contacts whom he instructed in English 2 years.
    (Already having his native English, Italian and Arabic.

    Both 1 and 2 will surely prove invaluable dealing with business owners, suppliers, trades people, clients, agencies, decision makers, contract signatories and service providers. Globally, both languages are going to be seen making immense impacts on international trade and business dealings.

    An expat from the United Kingdom, I speak English, Arabic, Italian, Spanish and some French, which took me confidently around business, political, military, diplomatic, governments, parliaments and ruling family members' circles in various foreign countries and within Britain.
     
    Upvote 0
    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    Free Member
    Jun 15, 2011
    36
    0
    Capital cities, here, there and everywhere.
  • #14
    axeluk said:
    Speaking the language of your clients and business partners is an advantage, but understanding their culture, value, attitude and decision making process is also important.
    Click to expand...
    Yep ! That is why my son spent 2 years teaching English to their Military and Government chaps in Chi Na . . . Peace-under-Heaven. Also being invited to locations and experiences which not many a foreigner would be due to the status of whom he was a guest and friend of lol. Fluent Mandarin was for him, easy peasy and he already spoke Arabic from 3 years in the GCC area, prior to China, then used it again in the Arab Gulf for another 4 years. Languages are really good fun also. Since aged 19 years, I have been fluent in 4 languages myself. Haha - and u really do have to know the intricacies of the Gulf Arab mind-set to succeed in business with their tribal system.
    I love it !
     
    Last edited:
    Upvote 0
    R

    restlis

    Free Member
    May 11, 2011
    4
    0
  • #15
    I think your English would be enough. Many exporting companies employees from China can speak english very well. Besides, Chinese is the most diffcutly language to learn. I am not sure if you can master Chinese as well as English. I knew lots of people that have been living in China over than 5 years, and still they can not communicate with people good enough with Chinese.

    China buying consulation.
     
    Upvote 0
    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    Free Member
    Jun 15, 2011
    36
    0
    Capital cities, here, there and everywhere.
  • #16
    restlis said:
    I think your English would be enough. Many exporting companies employees from China can speak english very well. Besides, Chinese is the most diffcutly language to learn. I am not sure if you can master Chinese as well as English. I knew lots of people that have been living in China over than 5 years, and still they can not communicate with people good enough with Chinese.

    China buying consulation.
    Click to expand...
    My son was fluent within 6 months and stayed 2 years - speaks Mandarin in Britain now to whomever does, can or is learning - especially people from China here of course lol.
     
    Upvote 0
    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    Free Member
    Jun 15, 2011
    36
    0
    Capital cities, here, there and everywhere.
  • #19
    axeluk said:
    He's very talented. :D What level is it are you talking about?
    Click to expand...
    The first enquirer asked - what language to do for an International Business major and that person is the crucial one to address - Linda of British Chinese Culture Ltd in England would, I envisage, be Chinese ? If so, what an ideal solution ! U could please advise the enquirer of crucial points to bear in mind for the completing the 'major' if to learn Mandarin, as some respondents have suggested to date.
    See: What language should I learn for International Business major?
     
    Upvote 0
    C

    Chinadavid18

    Free Member
    Apr 8, 2011
    21
    0
  • #20
    If you want to do business in, or with China you must learn Mandarin, if you do not then you will always be at a disadvantage. Even though many people do speak English here. it is not always particularly good English and they will never tell you when they do not understand something. This can lead to some major misunderstandings that waste time and money.

    However, I think that being able to read Chinese script is probably more important than the speaking. You can then find out much much more information about a company or potential suppliers than you otherwise would just using English.

    Finally, you need to spend a long time on this language, so do not expect anything too good too soon.
     
    Upvote 0
    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    BRITWALES_UK_GCC

    Free Member
    Jun 15, 2011
    36
    0
    Capital cities, here, there and everywhere.
  • #22
    bobogifts1989 said:
    English, japanese, russian will be better choice.
    Click to expand...
    I spent 15 years of my working life conributing to the elimination of Communism from Europe and although immediately open minded for trade, commerce, culture and educational exchanges with former Soviets, as well as discussions on Freedom of Religion; Politics and Common Ground with high-level Russians in Arab Gulf countries for 9 years afterwards - haha - I for one, did not wish ever to learn Russian. However, I do still enjoy several genuine friendships with individuals who lived under what was and now, still is Russia, the place of their birth. One of my close foreign friends in Kuwait is called Zulfiya, who teaches Russians there to speak, read and write Arabic, so Russia sees Arabic as essential apparently.
    MBE, OBE, CBE or Peerage? Millions in the bank from books on MI5/6? No, but I am writing the draft for 'Mind Over Matter' which will be more of a Comic than a book on work memoirs, logging serious events with hilarious experiences encountered lol.
     
    Upvote 0
    A

    alxooi

    Free Member
    May 26, 2011
    21
    0
  • #23
    angela.shiflett said:
    [FONT=arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif]I'm going to mizzou this coming year and am planning on majoring in international business. I had an interest in learning Russian, however i'm not sure that would be the soundest option as russia does not seem to be an economic powerhouse. I'm also considering Chinese or Japanese but i'm not sure. Also, considering almost all business is international now, do you think such a major would be useless and instead i should get a MBA in business administration or marketing?[/FONT]
    Click to expand...


    i can teaching primary mandarin by online with little reward. :p

    Anyone who is interest for learning Mandarin also can contact me :)
     
    Upvote 0
    E

    exportchina

  • #26
    Although Chinese is the most speaking language in the world except englich, it's also depending on yourself why you want to learn a 2nd language, and what work you will take after you finishing study.
    I know a lot of person who studied Chinese for some years, but when they backed their own country, no one can practice with them , they also use mother language to work and live, then i am confused why they studies Chinese at the beginning?
    You must make sense the following points:
    1. why you want to learn this language?
    2. where you will live or what kind of work you will take ?
    3. how can you using this language tool?
    BTW, i am a Chinese market consultant for international business.
    cooben(dot)com, you can find reliable china suppliers.
    export-to-cn(dot)com, you can engage sincere china buyers.
     
    Upvote 0
    F

    FrankCott

    Free Member
    Jun 30, 2011
    40
    0
  • #28
    alxooi said:
    5 pound per 90 min lesson , i think this rate is a good deal :D

    msg me if you really interesting. :)
    Click to expand...

    Yea, it's a good deal. I'll see on my timetable when it fits me then I'll contact you:D. Thx

    exportchina said:
    Although Chinese is the most speaking language in the world except englich, it's also depending on yourself why you want to learn a 2nd language, and what work you will take after you finishing study.
    I know a lot of person who studied Chinese for some years, but when they backed their own country, no one can practice with them , they also use mother language to work and live, then i am confused why they studies Chinese at the beginning?
    You must make sense the following points:
    1. why you want to learn this language?
    2. where you will live or what kind of work you will take ?
    3. how can you using this language tool?
    BTW, i am a Chinese market consultant for international business.
    cooben(dot)com, you can find reliable china suppliers.
    export-to-cn(dot)com, you can engage sincere china buyers.
    Click to expand...
    1. Because it's neccessary,
    2. Even if I live in my home land, I still have to associate with foreign people, and especially chinese, mate.
    3. At least I could comfort my clients if I can speak in their language
    ;)
     
    Upvote 0
    Log in to reply

    Latest Articles

    Join UK Business Forums for free business advice
    Top Bottom
    Community
    Articles
    Menu