As Mandarin language professionals, we can tell you that there are many reasons why learning business Chinese is important.

We use the language every day at Keats Language School in Kunming, China and our students bring their language skills back with them to their home countries and jobs.

There are many reasons to learn Business Mandarin. Carry on reading this article to learn about all the benefits Business Chinese can add to your life and career.

BUSINESS CHINESE IS THE MOST SPOKEN LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD

Yes, this is the first and the most important reason you should learn the Chinese business language. If you’re going to learn another language, why not make it the language that’s the most spoken in the world? More than 1.2 billion people speak Chinese.

Not only is business Mandarin spoken in China, but it’s also spoken in Singapore and Taiwan. Chinese-speaking people live worldwide, and if you’re a professional, it’s more than likely that one of your clients, suppliers, or colleagues will speak Mandarin.

At Keats School, we offer business Mandarin courses to help you master this incredible language spoken across the world.

YOU GAIN MATURITY

We know you won’t take it personally when we say that there is always room for growth. While you are a mature, working adult, everyone can grow through education, no matter age or career direction.

Don’t you agree?

A survey by Smart Study found that 95% of people who took part in their study admitted that studying abroad served as a catalyst for increased maturity.

An emotionally mature person always wants to add value to themselves and others around them. This happens through learning and developmental activities, like learning Mandarin in China. Remember, you’re emotionally mature when you take responsibility for your own happiness, career, and future.

One way to gain needed maturity in the workplace is to get outside and see the world (and take business Mandarin lessons). You will come back to your work with a fresh mind, a better perspective, a new language skill, and a new drive.

YOU CAN GROW YOUR EMPLOYEE BASE

Chinese language skills are scarce in some companies, even for companies that do a lot of business with China. With Mandarin being needed in a business, knowing the language can make you an attractive employee.

Through learning business Mandarin, you can transform yourself from a low-value employee to someone critical to the company’s success.

Say goodbye to your small title and hello to a new, shiny one. With you getting a promotion, it will allow for your company to grow and fill your position.

You could also suggest holding lunch and learn sessions in your company to teach other employees Mandarin. Once you’re comfortable with the language, why not share your knowledge?

YOU CAN TRANSLATE DOCUMENTS OR CONVERSATIONS

Have you ever been in the office when someone said, “Can anyone read/speak Mandarin… I have a client who can’t speak [insert your first language] well, and I don’t speak theirs. I need help.”

This is where you can raise your hand and head over to help your co-worker. Since you took business Mandarin courses, you’re able to be the translator in the middle of a non-conversational conversation.

In addition to being able to help in that vocal exchange, your skills are also valuable when it comes to documents, client reports, and research. Since you can read and write Mandarin, you can help translate any written documentation and send out exchanges in Mandarin.

BUSINESS MANDARIN ADVANCES YOUR CAREER

With the increasingly global society, having international skills and knowledge makes you more marketable for employers.

When you decide to study abroad as a professional, you’re telling your current employer (or future employer) that you’re interested in bettering yourself. You want to grow and improve your skills to make yourself the best employee possible.

Once you get to your new country, your network is going to broaden. When you travel, you can’t fully control who you’re meeting or when. It’s not like one of those big networking events where you try to get five minutes of talking in with the most influential person in the room. But when you can’t talk to them, you end up talking to someone you don’t relate to and can’t get away from.

Instead of feeling stuffy and claustrophobic at a networking event, traveling and meeting new professionals abroad allows you to do it in an open and natural environment.

These encounters lead to unique friendships and introductions with Chinese business professionals. Employers will see this as a valuable asset to the company and to you as an employee.

And, don’t forget to list your study abroad experience on your resume. Studies have shown that it enhances your job chance success and who doesn’t like a little more success?

IT IGNITES THE EDUCATION PASSION WITHIN YOU

Education is a tool that can build your skills no matter your age or career level. We know you understand that.

More than 80% of respondents in a study by iesabroad.org said that studying abroad had enhanced their interest in academic study. Nearly 63% of people said that the experience of learning a new language influenced their decisions to expand or change their career focus.

And, in fact, nearly 90% of people indicated that their experiences abroad influenced all their subsequent educational experiences.

It seems that once you study abroad, the study bug gets planted, and education becomes a constant passion. That’s something we can get 100% behind.

TIME TO BOOK YOUR BUSINESS MANDARIN COURSE

Now that you know the benefits of business Mandarin, it’s time to decide where you’re going to study it.

Keats School in Kunming, China, has been teaching business professionals Mandarin since 2004. There are eight Chinese language courses, and each is customizable to what you need to learn.

If you are not sure where to start your Mandarin learning journey, you can check out Five Ways to Learn Chinese for Beginners.