English, French Still Top Languages For International Jobs

The English and French languages are still the leading foreign languages required for international jobs; a job requirement search conducted by THE WHISTLER has revealed.

The jobs section of five international organizations were searched and English and French were the preferred foreign language for prospective applicants.  

However, Portuguese also featured more than other European languages while there is a rise in demand for competence in Chinese and Arabic languages.

Below are the language requirements as stated on the websites of the following organizations:

UNESCO

Languages: Fluent English or French (the two working languages of UNESCO) and a good working knowledge of the other language are required. Knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian is an additional asset.

ECOWAS

Language: Applicants must be fluent in one of the official languages of ECOWAS: English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.

European Union

The EU has 24 official languages, of which three (English, French and German) have the higher status of “procedural” languages of the European Commission (whereas the European Parliament accepts all official languages as working languages).

World Bank

Language: Applicants must be fluent in one of the official languages of World Bank: Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Applicants are to have foreign language skills or willingness to learn another language. Languages other than English are useful but not a requirement.