Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Foreign Language Skills Key to Improving Career Prospects, survey reveals

•75% of bilingual people claim that having a second language has improved their career prospects.
•17% would like to learn Chinese Mandarin in the New Year.
•71% would consider online methods of language learning.

A survey of over 200 bilingual business people conducted by Rosetta Stone at the Language Show on 3-5 November in London revealed that three quarters of respondents had furthered their career prospects by speaking a second language.

The most commonly spoken languages were French (58%), Spanish (47%), German (31%) and Italian (24%). Additionally, 71% claimed that learning a second language had improved their communication skills making travel more enjoyable and half of respondents said that languages had enhanced their social lives.

67% would like to learn another language in the New Year. Chinese Mandarin jointly topped the poll of desirable languages to learn (17%), indicating a realisation of the increasingly important role played by China as an international trading power. French and Spanish received an equal share of the top vote (17% each).

Michael Lefante, Marketing Manager, Rosetta Stone UK comments:

“Being able to speak a second language has a number of benefits for the individual, both socially and psychologically. As the world becomes more globalised, employers are placing increasing value on candidates who can speak additional languages. These employees - who are in demand as they can communicate with clients, suppliers and colleagues abroad - find that they have more opportunities available to them.”

Despite being proficient in a second language, 32% of respondents still devote between one and 5 hours a week to language learning to improve their skills. Although evening classes are a common method of language learning for 44%, others are put off attending them because of time constraints (27%) and inflexibility (15%). Indeed, 71% of respondents are considering using online methods to learn an additional language in the New Year.

For further info or a free 30-day journalist trial in the language of your choice please contact:

Heather Baker/Kathryn Hughes
hblmedia
Tel: 020 7612 1830
Email: Heather@hblmedia.com / Kathryn@hblmedia.com

About Rosetta Stone (www.rosettastone.co.uk)

Rosetta Stone is the leading provider of online and CD-Rom based language-learning courses. The courses are based on a Dynamic ImmersionTM methodology which means that they are fully interactive and use 1000's of real-life colour images to convey the meaning of each spoken and written phrase in the program. The program’s carefully sequenced structure, written texts and extensive use of native speakers helps the user to attain proficiency quickly, without memorisation, translation or tedious grammar drills. Teaching 30 languages to millions of people in over 150 countries worldwide, Rosetta Stone is the key to language learning success.