Learning a new language?

Question

I am contemplating finally putting some real effort into learning mandarin chinese. I have been toying with the idea for a year and my decision to apply to bschool has motivated me to get moving with this. I am thinking that I would like to work internationally after school in se asia and I need to get started if my plans do actually take me there.

I am curious as to what you guys think this may add to my app. or if this is really not that big of a deal considering how many international students speak multiple languages. By the way, I am an American who speaks English only and is looking into American schools in the elite cluster.

kryzak · Answer

I think knowing a 2nd language ALWAYS helps. Don't compare yourself with the international students who automatically need to know 2 languages, because I think there is always value in knowing more than one language, and shows that you have a "global mindset".

700willdo · Answer

I dont know how much learning a new language will help with admissions but I am pretty sure that learning mandarin particularly if you want to be working in SE Asia after school will definitely help. I plan on doing the same after school and thinking along the same lines I have also started learning Mandarin. I certainly hope doing this will help me add another dimension to my employability in the future. All the best with the Mandarin. It sure is tough!!!

togafoot · Answer

yes, multiple languages help.
Understanding another language also helps you to understand the culture. Language is built around the culture of the country, and when you begin to speak/understand it, some things click into place.

Learning a new language may or may not affect admissions, but one thing for sure, it increases your employability. One thing i`ve been told by executive recruiters... A foreigner has to be able to offer more than the locals to be able to get the position because the locals can speak the language and understand the culture and can usually get the same qualifications the non-local has.

Audio · Answer

Well put. I would add to that the fact that when you learn a second language, learning other languages gets much easier. I would certainly recommend it, not only for your application - it will certainly not hurt - but also for yourself, both personally and professionally.

sudden · Answer

mandarin is a great language, if tough to learn. i think it would be a really enriching experience for you.

that being said, if your primary goal is to get into b-school, then you should focus on that. your time might be better spent on shoring up and weak spots in your profile than on mandarin. for example, if you have a low GMAT score, knowing some mandarin is not going to help you overcome that weakness. i don't know what your profile looks like, but it is something to think about.

also, i caution people about the kind of commitment involved with learning tonal languages if you only speak western languages. not only does it require you to learn a whole new system (not that easy), but you have to keep it up. if you stop practicing for even 6-12 months, you will lose quite a bit. i am not sure it is really worth it to learn the language unless you plan to work in China or have some other way of keeping it fresh.

anyway, here is some mandarin to get you started:

"wuh fang pi' -- I farted

or if you want to blame it on someone else:

"wuh boo fang pi. neena?" -- I didn't fart, did you?

aaudetat · Answer

As far as your priorities between now and getting into school - that's for you to decide. But speaking other languages will really add an edge to your candidacy. I was having lunch with an executive from some company - don't actually remember which one - and we were talking about the BRIC countries. I said something about having spent some time in Russia, and the guy was ready to send me off the India...huh? I've never been there! But he felt like my time in Russia - and language skills - were a good proxy for being able to function in a global biz environment.

So yeah, learning other languages is good.

So yeah, learning other languages is good.

kryzak · Answer

LOL! :D It's "wuh mei fang pi" - I didn't fart. "wuh boo fang pi" is I won't fart.

sudden · Answer

kudos for the correction. as you can see, i don't actually speak mandarin... i just know a few essentials :-D

700willdo · Answer

was that executive out of his mind. I mean is there any similarity between russia and china at all except for that India has asian tigers and russia has serbin tigers. I guess the tigers are the same!!!!!!!

700willdo · Answer

I am learning Mandarin and my teacher hasn't taught me this till now. Isn't this as important as "ni hao" and if it is i am going to have to switch teachers or confront her with this

aaudetat · Answer

ok, maybe we're missing each other a bit, but just to clarify: speaking several languages and spending time abroad --> ability to learn about and adapt to different cultural dynamics --> preparation for functioning in a global business world

togafoot · Answer

exactly, the number of people who suffer culture shock, fail to adapt and go home is huge. It's a skill that people develop, and proving that you have this adaptability is important if you intend to conduct global business. Suffering from negative culture shock can cause depression. It can also affect work performance.

A hiring manager looking to hire someone is more likely to look at the adaptability of the candidate if they are foreign. The same princple applies to internationals who are looking for work in the USA. They need to know that the candidate can fit in and understand the culture

700willdo · Answer

you guys are absolutely right. I was just kiddin :wink:

loom · Answer

I'm an international applicant who speaks English, Chinese & currently learning Italian (with great difficulty

... e molto difficile! ) I think the extent to which it puts your application in a more favorable light has to do with how you integrate your interest in learning Chinese into your overall goals. Being multilingual is an asset in and of itself, and I think it's a growing necessity even in a country like the United States. But I still think you have to make a compelling case as to why it makes you a stronger candidate, and then sell this strength to the adcom, as opposed to a "I am learning Chinese, therefore I am a stronger applicant" mentality. Because then an admissions officer could think "Ok, then why don't you apply to CEIBS or HKUST?" IMO, I think adcoms figure that many American candidates may or may not follow through with their *global* aspirations and hence tend to take any such claims with a grain of salt. I suspect their priority is to admit students who are the most employable in the USA, based on traditional accomplishments such as GMAT, W/E, fluency in English, GPA etc. Additional languages are icing on the cake. Maybe European schools hold a multilingual candidate in higher regard, perhaps that's how I got my admit to Bocconi

helg · Answer

It's Siberian (or more properly Amur), not Serbin, tigers we have in Russia :-D

And yes, there are certainly similarities. For instance, BRIC is for "Brazil, Russia, India, China", so at least these countries are considered as a group, from a certain point of view. On the other hand, every country and people is unique.

R.E.D. · Answer

From the latest point of view it's more of a point of view for gathering these countries into one group than of real similarities. The main similarities between these countries are high-growth rate and high risk of running a business.

Learning a new language?

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