Description
Some airlines pay their staff a little extra for every language they speak, but other employers are entirely uninterested in their staff's language skills. While it has often been argued that these skills offer a competitive advantage and that one can even expect to be paid a premium, this seems to vary a lot from country to country and from industry to industry. In some jobs communication may be less relevant, but more often language skills are beneficial in various ways.
In my own experience speaking Scottish Gaelic, a minority language, gave me the competitive advantage to get a job at the BBC. While my knowledge of several other languages has repeatedly benefited my work, it would seem that they are not interested in the skill.
After reference to some research I want to hear of your experience – good and bad. The more countries and industries we hear from, the better the picture. Depending on the outcome of the workshop a recommendation for employers could be drafted and further research could follow.
I'm happy to take contributions in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Scottish Gaelic and English.
Andreas G. Wolff
A videojournalist for BBC ALBA, the Scottish Gaelic TV channel, Andreas originally hails from Berlin and has learned Gaelic. He is a regional reporter in the West Highlands, but has also repeatedly reported for a European current affairs programme. Andreas has conducted interviews in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Fering (Northern Frisian), Scots and Swedish. He is president and Gaelic tutor of the Taynuilt Gaelic Choir, organises an annual Doric (or North East Scots) Language Bootcamp and is a member of HYPIA.
http://andreasgwolff.com/
This video was recorded at the Polyglot Gathering 2025: https://www.polyglotgathering.com.