Foreign languages and the airlines
04-09-2018, 06:22 AM
#2
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Originally Posted by Macchi30
This is probably a dumb question, but I’m going to ask anyways. Does knowing a foreign language carry a decent amount of weight when applying for an airline?
English the language used world-wide for aviation, so that's the language you need as a pilot.
Flight attendants can get hired for language skills, and then may be selectively assigned to certain routes (I have a young friend who speaks french, she was hired for that and flies almost exclusively to France, the other FA's all very senior).
04-09-2018, 07:02 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by rickair7777
In the US, it carries essentially zero weight. Might be nice resume color, or interview topic of interest though.
English the language used world-wide for aviation, so that's the language you need as a pilot.
Flight attendants can get hired for language skills, and then may be selectively assigned to certain routes (I have a young friend who speaks french, she was hired for that and flies almost exclusively to France, the other FA's all very senior).
English the language used world-wide for aviation, so that's the language you need as a pilot.
Flight attendants can get hired for language skills, and then may be selectively assigned to certain routes (I have a young friend who speaks french, she was hired for that and flies almost exclusively to France, the other FA's all very senior).
04-09-2018, 08:19 AM
#4
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English is widely used in aviation only because the allied forces won WW2.
Other ICAO approved languages are Russian, Chinese, Spanish and French.
So when flying in South America you will hear Spanish a lot on the radio.
Only airlines from non-Spanish speaking countries will use aviation English.
In China you’ll hear 80% Chinese unless you’re a non-Chinese airline and you’ll use aviation English.
So you’ll never need your language skills. Only value on your resume would be ‘general’ interest.
Other ICAO approved languages are Russian, Chinese, Spanish and French.
So when flying in South America you will hear Spanish a lot on the radio.
Only airlines from non-Spanish speaking countries will use aviation English.
In China you’ll hear 80% Chinese unless you’re a non-Chinese airline and you’ll use aviation English.
So you’ll never need your language skills. Only value on your resume would be ‘general’ interest.
04-15-2018, 10:12 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by Macchi30
This is probably a dumb question, but I’m going to ask anyways. Does knowing a foreign language carry a decent amount of weight when applying for an airline?
04-16-2018, 08:29 AM
#7
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Posts: 6,008
Originally Posted by Adlerdriver
Why? 
Other than Latin, is there a less useful language on the planet in 2018?
Other than Latin, is there a less useful language on the planet in 2018?
French is a useful language, and for many years was the international diplomatic language. It's still widely spoken and is quite useful in Europe.
While airlines don't value a second language in a pilot, it's never wrong to invest time and effort in learning another language. It's not uncommon for people in many foreign areas, particularly Europe, to speak five or more languages.
Nationalistic ignorance is typical of many in the US who couldn't be bothered.
Take the time. Learn another language.
04-16-2018, 03:24 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by Adlerdriver
Why?
Other than Latin, is there a less useful language on the planet in 2018?
Other than Latin, is there a less useful language on the planet in 2018?
04-16-2018, 03:28 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke
Yes. Neomelenesian. Ask how I know.
French is a useful language, and for many years was the international diplomatic language. It's still widely spoken and is quite useful in Europe.
While airlines don't value a second language in a pilot, it's never wrong to invest time and effort in learning another language. It's not uncommon for people in many foreign areas, particularly Europe, to speak five or more languages.
Nationalistic ignorance is typical of many in the US who couldn't be bothered.
Take the time. Learn another language.
French is a useful language, and for many years was the international diplomatic language. It's still widely spoken and is quite useful in Europe.
While airlines don't value a second language in a pilot, it's never wrong to invest time and effort in learning another language. It's not uncommon for people in many foreign areas, particularly Europe, to speak five or more languages.
Nationalistic ignorance is typical of many in the US who couldn't be bothered.
Take the time. Learn another language.
04-16-2018, 04:55 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by JohnBurke
Yes. Neomelenesian. Ask how I know.
French is a useful language, and for many years was the international diplomatic language. It's still widely spoken and is quite useful in Europe.
While airlines don't value a second language in a pilot, it's never wrong to invest time and effort in learning another language. It's not uncommon for people in many foreign areas, particularly Europe, to speak five or more languages.
Nationalistic ignorance is typical of many in the US who couldn't be bothered.
Take the time. Learn another language.
French is a useful language, and for many years was the international diplomatic language. It's still widely spoken and is quite useful in Europe.
While airlines don't value a second language in a pilot, it's never wrong to invest time and effort in learning another language. It's not uncommon for people in many foreign areas, particularly Europe, to speak five or more languages.
Nationalistic ignorance is typical of many in the US who couldn't be bothered.
Take the time. Learn another language.
