Which are the best languages to learn for international relations?

University courses Politics
1

International relations can lead to a wide variety of jobs, some of these jobs will involve travelling, for example ambassadorial and consular positions, positions with international organisations, and more. Some languages may be particularly valued and sought after in particular positions which may require you to travel, here are some of them:

  • French - the language, considered the previous “Lingua Franca”, is a widely used and important language, given it’s use in Europe, the EU, and Francophone countries in South America and Africa

  • German - it being the language of Germany, a highly significant economic powerhouse and geopolitical player, German is a very good language to know, including due to the prevalence of Germany in international organisations

  • Spanish - as Spanish is spoken in numerous South American nations, such as Argentina, Chile and Mexico, it is a widespread language and learning it will enable you to work in or with a number of different nations

  • Arabic - given it’s use by numerous countries, including those with geopolitical significance such as Saudi Arabia and UAE, this can be an important language, particularly with certain sectors such as oil and gas, or security

  • Mandarin - one of the most widely spoken languages, it is important if you plan to specialise and work in/with China and Chinese interests

2 Likes
2

My field isn’t international relations, but I’ve always had a strong interest in Mandarin. I make the most of every opportunity to study the language on my own, whether through online courses, language exchange, or listening to podcasts. If you’re interested in traveling to or working in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, Mandarin is definitely important.

3

This is really interesting, thank you for sharing! I’ve been thinking a lot about potential career paths in international relations, especially ones that involve travel. Out of curiosity, do you think learning a language like Mandarin or Arabic would be more advantageous in the current geopolitical climate? I’m considering focusing on one, but I’m not sure which would open more doors.