Foreign language requirements are common in schools and workplaces, with varying levels of proficiency needed. Some countries require children to learn multiple languages, and colleges may require coursework. Employers may require language skills for certain positions or prefer candidates with proficiency.
Foreign language requirements often exist in both schools and workplaces. Schools may require students to take and pass classes in foreign languages to obtain a degree, and some may also require students to have foreign language proficiency in order to be admitted to a program of study. Employers may require job applicants to have a level of proficiency in a foreign language as a qualification for the job. Therefore, foreign language requirements vary widely by institution.
In many countries, school-age children must complete certain foreign language requirements as part of their school curriculum. Indeed, in some countries, children are required to learn several languages while in school. Some colleges or universities may also require applicants to have completed coursework in foreign languages. In the United States, high school students who have had many years of teaching foreign languages may receive college credit for their years of study or may be eligible for placement in more advanced foreign language classes when they actually enter college.
Undergraduate students may need to meet foreign language requirements as a condition of receiving a degree from the school. These requirements can range from having to complete a year or two of foreign language instruction in order to receive a bachelor’s degree to PhD students having to demonstrate their proficiency in a foreign language to begin writing their dissertation. In some cases, foreign languages may be specifically prescribed by the course of study. For example, students in a Christian theological seminary may be required to take courses in Biblical Greek and Hebrew.
Employers may find that knowledge or proficiency in a foreign language is required to perform a particular job or that job performance is significantly improved if the employee knows a foreign language. These employers may set foreign language requirements for certain job positions. In some cases, a candidate may actually need to establish his or her foreign language proficiency before being considered for a position, while in other cases, foreign language proficiency is a preferred credential that can help increase the chances of a candidate to actually be hired. Foreign language requirements set by an employer may reflect an employer’s presence in a community where many of its clients or customers speak that language. Some jobs, such as diplomacy or missionary work, may by their very nature require language skills.
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