Learning a second language
02-02-2010, 11:03 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,292
It will help a great deal, and get you on good international trips while still very junior...if you want to be a flight attendant.
It will not specifically help you get a pilot job in the US, other than to make you more well-rounded for the interview. It might help you get a job overseas if you speak the local language, but there are many other criteria which you have to meet to be considered for non-US airline jobs. If you meet all the criteria and think you are eligible for employment with a certain foreign airline, it would not hurt to learn the local language.
It will not specifically help you get a pilot job in the US, other than to make you more well-rounded for the interview. It might help you get a job overseas if you speak the local language, but there are many other criteria which you have to meet to be considered for non-US airline jobs. If you meet all the criteria and think you are eligible for employment with a certain foreign airline, it would not hurt to learn the local language.
02-03-2010, 05:22 PM
#3
Moderate Moderator
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
Posts: 5,681
Quotable Quote
Prince Charles is attributed to have said:
"The world's common language is bad english."
It is also true in flying. ATC in France is in French with French airliners, and accented english with the rest of us. Otherwise, 99% of the rest of the world uses english as the sole aviation language. Come to think of it, I think I heard a Japanese controller speaking Japanese to a JSDF F-15J once.
I would think a second language shows ability to learn, but doesn't have much to do with getting hired overall as a pilot, unless applying to an airline in a country such as those above.
"The world's common language is bad english."
It is also true in flying. ATC in France is in French with French airliners, and accented english with the rest of us. Otherwise, 99% of the rest of the world uses english as the sole aviation language. Come to think of it, I think I heard a Japanese controller speaking Japanese to a JSDF F-15J once.
I would think a second language shows ability to learn, but doesn't have much to do with getting hired overall as a pilot, unless applying to an airline in a country such as those above.
02-06-2010, 02:26 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: EMB-170 FO
Posts: 383
I don't work for an airline but I speak 5 different languages. I plan to learn Spanish sometime soon, since there are so many Spanish speaking people in Florida. I don't think it will in the process of getting hired by an airline unless you apply for an international airline.
02-08-2010, 07:14 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Aviation Consultant
Posts: 320
Jxl,
Some good advice on here already about learning another language. Bottom line is that English is the accepted 'aviation' language so there isn't a requirement to learn another. And like others have pointed out, it really only gives you an advantage if you are seeking a flight attendant position (where there is a lot of interaction with the passengers).
It may give you an advantage if you are applying with a foreign carrier, but honestly if you are an American applying with a foreign carrier they probably won't expect you to speak their language. (This is just an assumption on my part as I haven't worked with a foreign carrier but know many people who have been hired as expats.)
If you want to learn a language - then go for it. But do it for yourself and your own personal satisfaction.
Lori
Some good advice on here already about learning another language. Bottom line is that English is the accepted 'aviation' language so there isn't a requirement to learn another. And like others have pointed out, it really only gives you an advantage if you are seeking a flight attendant position (where there is a lot of interaction with the passengers).
It may give you an advantage if you are applying with a foreign carrier, but honestly if you are an American applying with a foreign carrier they probably won't expect you to speak their language. (This is just an assumption on my part as I haven't worked with a foreign carrier but know many people who have been hired as expats.)
If you want to learn a language - then go for it. But do it for yourself and your own personal satisfaction.
Lori
05-13-2010, 02:22 AM
#7
Banned
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 93
No hope or desire of getting hired by an airline, but I speak 2 languages fluently and can do ok in a third. Hasn't done me a bit of good as a lawyer, a judge, a pilot wannabe or in life.
Try not to think this way like no hope , you are such a wonderful F pilot. There is always a hope that is for sure even at the airlines. Certainly we differ since in my case other then twice a year I do not feel like being at a cockpit at constant must take a small operation. However, I was always succ,,,not because of the gvt aunties or so, is because I always had believed in my self. I can speak 3 languages and went to top universities, but sometimes I know I am kind of " lazy " in writing. For me life is like never ending story just sometimes.Melu
Try not to think this way like no hope , you are such a wonderful F pilot. There is always a hope that is for sure even at the airlines. Certainly we differ since in my case other then twice a year I do not feel like being at a cockpit at constant must take a small operation. However, I was always succ,,,not because of the gvt aunties or so, is because I always had believed in my self. I can speak 3 languages and went to top universities, but sometimes I know I am kind of " lazy " in writing. For me life is like never ending story just sometimes.Melu
Last edited by MeLu; 05-13-2010 at 02:37 AM.
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