Most of us who have ever learned a language at school will shudder to remember the painfully awkward, loud silences of a French or Spanish speaking exam.
As the booming clock tick mounted the pressure and palms grew steadily sweatier, the helplessness of being unable to offer anything but ‘I play tennis with my friends’ was, for many, a source of deep frustration and awkwardness.
Language learning is not easy, and faced with such tribulations in a largely English-speaking world it can feel easy to throw in the towel. However, learning a language is incredibly valuable.
This article will illustrate why it will make you a better consultant – and I am not simply talking about having a language in your locker. The process of language learning itself, whether at a beginner or near-native level, is one of the most effective things you can do to boost your transferable skills.
The University of Cambridge recognises that learning a language increases cognitive skills across the board because novelty (your brain having new experiences) is an important factor in forming new connections and strengthening the links in your nervous system.
Here are some of the key assets that language learning can give you.
1. Communication skills
One of the most important parts of language learning is active listening. Having to pay extremely close attention to those who are speaking to you, as well as thinking more carefully about your own response, naturally hones both listening and speaking skills. Thinking before you speak and assessing the impact of the words you choose is integral to language learning – every beginner knows the fear of accidentally saying something mortifyingly offensive – and will help you in your consulting career too. Not only will you be able to communicate with a wider client base, but you will be both a better listener and more intentional in the way you communicate.
2. Client empathy
Research highlights a link between language learning and empathy. It is easy to see why: not only does it inherently expose you to new cultures, teaching you how to connect with clients from completely different backgrounds, but the way languages are structured forces you to adopt subtly different world views when speaking them. For example, the shift from ‘I am 25 years old’ in English to ‘I have 25 years’ in French implies a nuance in approaches to age. Is it something that defines your identity at each given moment, or something you gradually accrue as you live? By learning a new language, you learn a new way of seeing the world, which will sharpen your empathy skills, making you more attuned to anticipating and understanding client needs.
Similar idiosyncrasies are found in word order in German, where the verb is often pushed to the very end of the sentence. For example, a literal translation of a German sentence might read: “I know that he every morning before work a large coffee drinks”. This means a German speaker must hold the entire scene in their mind before the action that ties it all together is finally revealed, cultivating a habit of withholding judgment until all the information is in.
3. Cognitive abilities: memory and problem solving
Studies show that people who speak a second language regularly perform better on memory tests. Having to learn and retain vocabulary and rules builds up long-term memory capacity in a way that cramming for tests does not. In the age of AI, where memory is often outsourced to tech, the no-cheat-code memory building found in language learning is all the more valuable, and will help you remain sharp in your career. Similar research also indicates that language studies unlock creative abilities. Problem solving by having to work out meaning, often without all the information or understanding, will help you be more creative and effective in navigating problems or obstacles at work.
4. Quiet confidence
Being out of your depth is part and parcel of learning a language. When I first moved to France, I stepped off the Eurostar and could barely pluck up the courage to utter a ‘merci’. Being out of your comfort zone but having to give it a go anyway forces you to develop a can-do mindset, which really does work wonders for your confidence when pitching ideas and working with clients. When it comes to making mistakes, it can be extremely frustrating to feel unable to express yourself. But learning to bounce back is great for your resilience and quiet confidence that is hard to rattle.
5. Hard work
Languages don’t learn themselves. Research shows that concentration and attention span are improved when studying languages, and this comes as no surprise. The self-motivation, discipline, consistency and effort it requires (and no, I’m not talking about just keeping a Duolingo streak) builds great habits. It is impossible to cut corners, teaching thoroughness and an overall good work ethic and setting a great precedent for the working world.
The bottom line
Language learning is rarely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about what makes a great consultant.
But the process of learning a language quietly develops many of the skills that define exceptional consulting, from active listening and cultural sensitivity to sharpened cognitive ability and the confidence to keep going through countless setbacks.
Whether you are a complete beginner or dusting off a language you haven’t used since school, the investment is really worth making. It’s never too late to get started!
India Jordan Jones is a final-year undergraduate student at the University of Oxford, reading English Language and Literature. She is interested in a career in consulting or commercial law and passionate about sustainability and energy matters in business.
Image: DALL-E
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