Obtaining financial stability by learning a new skill such as acquiring a new language has been found to be the leading aspiration for Gen Z and Millennials in the workplace, a study has found.
According to Preply, an online English courses platform, more than half (53%) of respondents revealed that they are currently learning a second language. English and French were found to be the most popular, with these two among the most spoken globally.
29% Learning a Foreign Language for Professional Development
Of the 53% of those surveyed who were found to be learning a new language, 29% of them stated that they were doing so to improve their work prospects. Of course, the better an individual’s professional skills are, the better job prospects they may have.
Indeed, being as professionally developed as possible can help them accomplish the overarching goal that so many across the two generations have: to become financially stable. This has become increasingly important in today’s world, as the cost of living continues to climb globally due to inflation and other economic challenges.
While the two generations might typically have different values, they seem to be aligned regarding their futures, both in terms of work and life. According to the survey findings, 61% aspire to have financial stability as one of their top three life goals, while 66% emphasized this as a priority related to work. This ranked higher than obtaining a work-life balance, which had previously been a key focus for Millennials as they considered their professional development.
When examining the gender split in aspirations for financial stability, women appear to prioritize it more than their male counterparts. Sixty-eight percent of women indicated that it was important to them, while 62% of men identified it as their main desire.
Turks and Poles Have the Biggest Appetite to Learn New Languages
The global survey also revealed that Turkish and Polish speakers are among those leading the charge in learning a new language to improve their prospects.
Almost three-quarters of Turkish respondents (73%) and just over two-thirds (67%) of Polish respondents revealed that they were learning a new language. English and French were found to be the most popular languages to learn, as these two are commonly used as official languages for global business.
Elsewhere, Spanish-speaking nations like Mexico and Argentina (both 60%) and Spain (57%) were also found to be learning another language, with Asian nations South Korea (47%) and Japan (35%) also on the list. Interestingly, 38% of Koreans reported learning Japanese. Germans (41%) and Americans (36%) are among other nationalities showing a growing interest in language learning.
Gen Z is the leading generation of people looking to learn a new language, with 57% of respondents revealing they are engaging in activities to help them achieve this. This is slightly higher than those categorized as Millennials, with 49% of them reporting the same.
Practical Hands-on Experience Favored For Language Learning
The study by Preply found that most respondents enjoyed practical, hands-on experience when it came to learning a new language effectively. Although only 26% of respondents stated that this was their preferred method, it demonstrates the variety of options available today.
Watching videos online and taking face-to-face private lessons were highlighted as popular methods. An organization like Preply can offer these, with the online platform providing a range of resources.
Poles were found to enjoy practical, hands-on experience the most, with 39% stating it was the most effective method for them to learn. Interestingly, data revealed that learners in Asian countries were more likely to adopt methods that require independent learning. Koreans preferred watching videos online, whereas Japanese learners preferred reading articles and books as their primary choice.
Although artificial intelligence has helped improve language learning through various tools, only German and Korean students appeared to show a preference for the technology as a resource.
Learning a New Language to Achieve Financial Stability
With life and work ambitions shifting, and people increasingly focused on achieving financial stability, language learning appears to have become a skill that many have turned to in an effort to improve their prospects.
It’s no surprise, as a second language is often cited as something that can improve job prospects, especially with some industries using specific languages to communicate and operate, such as English. For this reason, there is every chance that it can be a successful approach and something that even more people may look to adopt in the future.