Careers with languages

The Gatwick School and beyond

Our GCSE MFL courses at The Gatwick School give a good grounding for our most able linguists to continue their chosen language to A level and even beyond. This is thanks to the experience of our teachers and the authentic and challenging nature of the course content we select and explore together, all combined with the independent learning skills we foster in our school.

As well as pure language degrees, many university courses offer languages as part of a joint programme or as a subsidiary, which gives plenty of scope to combine a language with another specialist area.

Employment skills

If you are a linguist, you become a good communicator, both orally and in writing, and this is one of the most important employment skills and is required in virtually every field. Studying modern languages also trains you how to gather, assess and interpret information effectively, as well as gaining the ability to understand nuance and the importance of paying attention to detail. Languages also promote tolerance and diversity, helping you to work with and understand colleagues and customers from different cultures and backgrounds.

Demand for languages in the workplace 

It is fair to say that the United Kingdom is not a part of the world that is renowned for the large number of foreign language speakers it produces, which is precisely why those who do develop these skills are much sought after by employers.

In many multinational companies, even when English is the lingua franca, the ability to converse and understand other languages is valued and appreciated by colleagues from other countries both in formal and - crucially -  informal settings, and that can certainly make a difference to business relationships and outcomes. 

In addition, those with credible language skills are often paid a premium for those abilities, and in a competitive job market, if you offer a language when another candidate does not, this can be the factor that tips the scales in your favour.