Foreign language skills give you an edge in today's job market. Proficiency in English and Chinese is an especially desirable combination. English and Chinese are the two most-spoken languages in the world.
Many Western companies continue to expand rapidly into Chinese speaking regions of Asia. At the same time, Chinese- speaking companies are increasing their presence in West. As a reslut, both Western and Asian companies need Chinese-speaking workers who have strong English skills. Some local employers, such as Taiwan-based computer company Acer, have even made English their official company language.
Proficiency in both language can help workers gain accessto the best job. Many chinese- speaking companies require that all managers possess excellent English skills.
But a big income and a high-level position aren't the only perks. A career that requires two languages can creat other rewarding opportunities to travel or meet people from other countries.
Workers with skills in both language also benefit the employer. They can help companies avoid the misunderstandings that often occur when people from different clutures do business.
Let's look at two interesting careers in which English and Chinese speakers are in demand.
Web site translators
After English, Chinese is the second most-used language on the Internet. From October 2004 to July 2005, the number of Chinese-speaking Web surfers increased by 18 million.
English-speaking employers want their Web sites translated into Chinese. But Chinese skills alone are not enough. Employers need Chinese-speaking workers who also have the language skills to understand English Web content. Such people will be sought after by Western companies to fill these translation jobs.
Business and marketing researchers
Many Western companies need employees who can market their products to Chinese-speaking customer. Similarly, Chinese-speaking employers need workers who can make their products desirable to Western buyers. Strong language skills are must in this type of job. A good businese sense and marketing know-how are also essential.
The need for proficiency in more than one language is unlikely to change. Knowing both English and Chinese can open up a world of opportunities. Consider how you can use your language skills in your career.
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summary:
The article is talk about that knowing the world's two most-spoken language can make you twice as important to employers. Be good at both languages can help workers gain access to the best job.
Chinese-speaking companies become more and more importmant in the West. And many English-speaking companies expand to Aisa rapidly.
With skills in both languages is not only can open up the world of opportunities but also can avoid the misunderstanding between people from different conturies and different cultures.
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Word Bank
1.give someone an edge
2.proficiency －have great knowledge and ability on something
3.possess －to own, to have, to hold
4.in demand－something or someone people are desire
5.sought after －burning to the touch
6.marketing －commercial, sale
7.know-how －knack, skill, and knowledge
8.open up a world of opportunities
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After I read this article I have some thoughts:
This article has close relation with us. Nowadays both English-speaking and Chinese-speaking company are extended. Learning more than one language can lead to better jobs and excutung opportunities to travel and meet people from other countries.
I am major in English, I must study hard so that I have more chance to lead to better job and have more chance to enter the company what I want.
In addition, if I proficient in two most-spoken languages I can avoid a lot misunderstand and quarrel can be altercated.
Many careers need a person who proficient in more than one language, such as journalism, people who speak both languages are needed in the areas of print and broadcast journalism.
