morky

I'm thinking of enrolling on a Spanish Language course in September because it may help my chances of finding work in the industry. I'd like to try to learn Arabic because it might be more useful right now, but to be honest I think it would just be too much for me to take on, personally. I did well in Spanish in school (all those years ago) and understand quite a lot when I hear it.

Is Spanish a very useful language to have in the industry? I know there will be contracts in Latin America and Africa, but everything seems to be geared toward Iraq/Afghan right now.

Or would any language skills at all stand out to an employer because they know they could use you at a later date?

Thank you.

Drinks01

Where are you learning Arabic? is it a "at home course"?

morky

I'm not mate.

I've been looking at Arabic stage 1 and Spanish stage 1, 2 and 3 in a university near me.

tazape

Any language stands out but the more predominante are Spanish, Arabic, Russian, German, also not forgetting French. Basicly any countries that your thinking of working in or with. And it would be a good advantage having the skills. However even if your are going to work in this country an extra language never hurts, even if only enough to get by on, directions, food, drink etc.

tazape

Also check out the local consulates and embassy's as they often offer courses through their Cultural institues, sometimes they are subsidised by the respective governments.

Hawk

Stop or I shoot, or given the finger is international language!!!
Just kidding*

Languages are ofcourse important as other skills, are you interested in working in Central-South America and Africa? Since i dont see much reasons for it in Europe.
How are your other skills such as driving are you a driver in Europe? How good skills are your winter driving? Surveillance skills? Or first aid etc..
Computer nerd or know where the on off button is?

More various skills will improve big times of course, since everything is not just bodyguarding, its SAP travel making the arrangements, the escort team, drivers, and some counter surveillance?.
Can you do Risk analyses? Continusy plans, evaction plan, ???
Questions you might whant to ask yourselves is.

What sector do I want to operate in?

What locations in the world?

What type of tasks?

etc..if youre locked into CP youre missing alot of opportunities, and all is improving you big time..

Hope you find a solution
hawk

tazape

I completely agree with Hawk, apart from this bit. When i was in Italy on a job not only did the italian language play a part it was essential, and that client didnt speak a word of it.
Same in france happened, not everybody in the world speaks english, the younger generations in the world yes, but the older generations not so many.
All i say is personal growth and development are essential, the more skills the better (once you have chosen the sector you want).

andynorris

aye..! languages...! those ball bags should never have attempted to build that tower and we'd all be singing from the same songsheet..!

mate, i'm starting spanish too. i already speak dutch which is a really difficult one to learn but arabic...if you have the head for that one - good man! i was speaking to a 22 man who is absolutely fluent and i asked him how it was to learn - the answer sums it up - 'a lifelong committment'

i think if we all made a conscious effort to learn at least one other language, things would open up and then there's the 'understanding'..!! believe me - i've had some fun understanding the dutch..!! they never think nor expect foreigners to know their language...go for it...

chooooooooooo,

andy.

Lietuvis

If you want to work in Europe get ENGLISH,RUSSIAN,GERMAN and FRENCH that would be my advice most important would be RUSSIAN & ENGLISH 2 worldwide languages.

I have spoken with some egyptians on russian,so its truly world language,besides its very easy.

Piasecki007

Yes,Russian language