Learning a second language

gomntwins

gomntwins

Well-Known Member
I was curious to know if learning a second language has helped a lot of pilots on here get a job? Obviously learning a second language is beneficial regardless of your career choice, but I was wondering there are a lot of pilots who feel that knowing a second language was a large part in them getting a job.

Also, does anybody have any good recommendations for learning a second language? I took a year of Spanish in both high school and college, and would now like to work towards fluency in Spanish (both as a personal and professional goal). My issue is, I really don't want to head to a community college/4 year college to take classes. Has anybody had any success with those audio tapes? Or finding private tutors? Or any other methods of learning?

Thanks!
 
Spanish would probably be the most helpful, with french being a distant second. Personally, I took (and am still taking) German for personal reasons, simply because I enjoy the language and culture.

Many regional airlines and almost all major airlines have some central or south american destinations. In this hemisphere, spanish and english are the two most important languages to know.

Knowing spanish and/or french is definitely helpful. It certainly won't hurt your chances. However, keep in mind that your prior flight experience is far and away the most important qualification...
 
Immersion training. I took Kristie to France for five days and she picked it up pretty quick.
 
If you're going to be anywhere near Florida, Spanish is almost a must know. And even if you don't want to learn it, you will anyway. French is good to have if you're going to be in Canada anytime. I'm personally TRYING to teach myself German. I'm a WWII history buff, so German is something I've always wanted to learn. I look four semesters of Russian in college, and I remember very little except how to say "Hello" and "One cold beer, please."
 
I am interested in learning russin. I am organizing a vacation there next fall, and would at least like to know how to say,: give me a beer"!
 
Check this program out, and see if it works for you:
http://www.middlebury.edu/ls/

Its one of the best language schools in the world, and I believe the programs are between 5 and 7 weeks, depending on the language you choose. Its only available during the summer, and you have to apply early.
 
I've been wondering about that too.
Would a second language improve your chances to get an interview???

If you look at airlines in Europe some require two languages, but here in the US it's not an issue. Yet?

Is there an "unwritten rule"/common sense preference for the recruiters with other qualifications equal to get the bilingual guy first??
 
Generally for pilots, speaking a second language isn't much of a factor.

For FAs it's a big selling point though.
 
Yo quero Taco Bell
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I know Portuguese and English Fluently. Spanish almost fluently. And learning French. Would this boost my chances over other applicants considering the other factors are the same?
 
Hey there,

I don't really know much about whether or not it will help you get a job, but as far as learning -

I am currently taking an intensive italian course that combines 2 semesters of college italian into one and its also in the spring semester, so it's at a faster pace than usual. Before starting the class i picked up one of the cd things. That was king of helpful because when the professor would say some things i would know what she was talking about. The drawback to that is that i didn't know how to spell anything. It wouldn't really matter for you though if you werent' taking it in a classroom setting, just trying to learn the language. So far I'm doing pretty well in this intensive class, we have only spoken Italian in there from the get-go, although the professor will use gestures as necessary to explain concepts that we couldn't grasp in italian and would sometimes switch to English briefly.

hope that helps!
 
G'day fellas,
I can speak Polish fluently, however its not much of an advantage here. The only time it would be is if i applied for a job with LOT, or any other airline operating out of Poland...

Spanish is a good one, as is french!

Aussie
 
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