What Is The ROI Of Foreign Language Learning?

Unless you’re learning English… I think it’s quite close to 0.

There are specific situations where language learning is likely very helpful.

• Language tests are a screening mechanism for certain Tourism/Hospitality jobs.

• An Eastern-European businessperson will benefit learning German or Russian.

• Learning English if you don’t speak it already.

• If it’s your job… (Interpreter, translator, etc.)

I like learning French, and I like to believe I’ll have a ‘huge advantage’ by speaking it… but the truth is that learning another language is largely redundant, re-learning a skill you already have.

Multi-lingual skills are described as ‘helpful’, ‘beneficial’ and ‘perhaps necessary in the future’… but ‘core to the business’ just 5% of the time.

No Clear ROI + High Time-Requirement = Hobby!

Like learning the guitar, it’s almost impossible to justify foreign language learning financially. It is not a productivity-focused activity. It is a hobby.

Like the arts, it has a place for the globalized citizen in a global world, adding color to your life and friendships, but you can’t eat it, put it in your car or charge a battery with it.

I don’t expect 50% discounts from my Chinese suppliers if I answer the phone ‘Ni Hao’. I expect those discounts if I buy ten times as much product.

The chance you’ll find that ‘perfect’ Argentinian tax firm in need of a SaaS solution is probably higher if you went to an English-speaking networking event. Your odds don’t increase because you can crack a joke in Spanish.

Learning a foreign language is a hobby, perhaps a party trick, but rarely a business activity.