Multiple Language Skills Enhance MBA Value

Among the essential skills employers look for in MBAs are language capabilities and international awareness. While English continues to maintain its dominance, other languages including Spanish, French and Mandarin are moving up in an increasingly globalised world.

The advantage in developing multiple language skills helps in the ability to expand horizons to new markets or areas and develop a deeper understanding of the work ethos and culture of different countries.

The UK, US, Canada and Australia have English as medium of instruction and international students whose mother tongue is not English, may have to appear for TOEFL and IELTS to meet English-language requirements.

However, HEC Montréal in Quebec offers a full-time and part-time MBA in French, Canada’s second official language and the province’s  official language.

These programs require a TFI, French-language proficiency test for all non-francophone students. The school also offers a full-time MBA in English as well as a four-week immersive course during summer for students who wish to refresh their skills in French before classes begin.

ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France, has a similar scheme for international students, though the teaching is in English.

Despite the presence of a large number of Spanish speaking people in places like Florida, business schools stick to English as the teaching medium.

However, there are exceptions to the rule. University of Miami has an   Executive MBA for the Americas in Spanish, targeting professionals aiming to work in Latin American countries or entrepreneurs with business interests in the region.

Some others like McCombs School of Business at Austin, Texas, offer  foreign-language electives, for those intending to take up an international career.

English dominates even Latin America and MBA applicants may have to provide IELTS or TOEFL scores.

Language requirements might also exist as part of the MBA admissions in markets where English is not the primary language spoken, such as for many business schools in Latin America, which primarily conduct their courses in English.

INCAE Business School in Nicaragua and FGV in Brazil insist on students providing IELTS or TOEFL scores for their English-language programs.

EGADE in Mexico which has MBA programs in both English and Spanish, wants only proof of proficiency in English. Some others like  Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and  require mid-level English proficiency so that students can participate in international seminar sin the US or UK.

Ingeniería Industrial Universidad de Chile also insists on TOEFL or IELTS. IAE in Argentina needs both Spanish and English as both languages are used.