Speaking a second, third or even more languages is a common skill in the international development sector. Living in different countries provides ample opportunity for learning a new language, and those interested in this line of work tend to also be the kind of people attracted to foreign language study.
English fluency has become a requirement for most international development positions, as it has solidified itself as the dominant international language. But what if you don’t speak a second or third language? Is it necessary to learn one if you want to pursue a career in global development? While the benefits of being multilingual in an international career may seem obvious, the decision to tackle a new language isn’t as clear.
Here are six questions to ask yourself before attempting to learn a foreign language.
About the author
Kate Warren@KateDWarren
Kate Warren is the Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Devex, where she leads a global team of journalists, event producers, and communications and marketing professionals to drive conversations around the most pressing and urgent issues of our time, including climate, global health, food security, philanthropy, humanitarian crises, and foreign aid funding. Through live journalism — via in-person and virtual events — along with insider news, analysis, podcasts, content series, and special reports, Kate and her team ensure the most important ideas, voices, and debates reach an influencer audience to drive impact and make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
