Foreign Language Options for BA Graduates to Enhance Employability

Bachelor of Arts or B.A degree is a reputed degree in India and is also one of the most common undergraduate degrees which are offered in India and worldwide. Usually, a BA degree is offered to the students in areas of Linguistics, Social Sciences, Arts etc. But what after obtaining the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree? Is it only possible to follow the traditional routes like applying for a Government job (SSC CGL, UPSC CDSE etc) or opt for a master’s degree study in the relevant subject? Well, the CollegeDekho experts can help you with a third idea - to pursue a foreign language course. Unfamiliar with the top foreign language courses? Here we are then to take you on a journey that deviates from the usual path taken by BA degree holders.

Why Foreign Language Courses?

Students these days have become more skeptical about the traditional route due to changing times and lifestyles around them. Earlier, a BA graduate had only two options. Either they could prepare for a government exam or opt for higher studies. But, in recent years, a BA degree holder has many options and among them, the option of pursuing a Foreign Language course can be tremendously advantageous.

Today, learning a foreign language is as advantageous to a student as it used to be the case with being able to speak the English Language a few decades ago. With the international boundaries becoming redundant due to globalization, knowing a foreign language can potentially open up a wide array of career opportunities for students. The possibility of receiving a boost in the paycheck because of a foreign language should not be resisted.

Having said that, it is time that we start talking about those foreign languages which are in high demand these days. Along with the Foreign Languages, we will also try to provide you with a glimpse of other important things like types of foreign language courses offered in India, best foreign language learning, top foreign language colleges etc in the coming sections. Let us begin with the types of Foreign Language courses that are offered in India.

Also Read: Most Popular Foreign Language Courses in India

Types of Foreign Language Courses Offered in India

In India, a Foreign Language enthusiast can choose from six types of foreign language programmes/courses mentioned below:

Full-Time Degree Programmes Offered at the University Level

There are many colleges and universities in India which offer full-time degree language courses as a part of their curriculum. Like other courses, these universities or colleges offer full-time degree language programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil and PhD level.

Eligibility - Students who have passed their class 12th exam from a recognised Board (or equivalent exam) with at least 50% aggregate (variable) are eligible for the UG level admission. For admission at the PG level, the candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant language and higher proficiency in the same. Admission at the master’s level is usually done on the basis of the student's performance in the entrance exams conducted by the respective Universities or Colleges (merit-based admission is also offered by some institutions).

This option particularly suits those graduates who do not want to get trapped in a “never-ending cycle” of higher education for a good job and want to kickstart their career ASAP. It is also a viable option for those who are 10+2 qualified.

Part-Time Programmes Offered by Universities/Colleges

Some top universities and colleges offer part-time foreign language courses. In a part-time mode of study, the workload is usually lighter as compared to the full-time degree programme. The content and course module are also less and the students have to commit fewer hours to learn the language. It is particularly beneficial to those who want to invest their spare hours from work or academics into something substantial. It will do no harm if an employee or a student can learn a foreign language without compromising the hours they are bound to dedicate to work or academics.

One thing that must be kept in mind that all languages are not offered in part-time mode and neither all institutions offer them. So, before applying for admission, the students must verify that. After completing their course, the students are usually awarded a Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Certificate. The duration of these part-time language courses may vary from 06 months and 02 years.

Culture Centres Affiliated to Foreign Embassies

Those who are interested in pursuing a Foreign Language course can also enroll themselves in one of the Culture Centres which are affiliated with the Foreign Embassies in India. These affiliated Culture Centres follow an interdisciplinary approach where a great emphasis is placed on the custom, culture, literature, language, and history of the respective country. Names of a few such Culture Centres affiliated with Foreign Embassies are as follows -

• Istituto Italiano di Cultura

• Camoes Institute

• SejongHakdang

• Mosai

• Instituto Cervantes

• Russian Centre for Science and Culture

• Max Mueller Bhavan

• Goethe Institut

• Alliance Francais

For foreign language proficiency test, the students can visit either of the following test centres -

• Portuguese CAPLE

• Italian CILS

• German TestDaf

• Spanish DELE

• French DELF

• Japanese JLPT

• Korean TOPIK

• Mandarin HSK

Private Learning Centres and Institutes

Foreign Language enthusiasts can also enroll themselves in a private foreign language learning centre or an institute. The foreign language courses offered at these learning centres or institutes vary from 03 months to 03 years.The only drawback of learning a foreign language from one of these private institutes is the certificate or diploma awarded by these institutions does not carry as much weight as the ones offered by the Foreign Embassies Culture Centres mentioned above. In this case, a student needs to appear for a foreign language (the one for which they have received a diploma/certificate) proficiency test conducted by the respective government. Two important private institutes offering language learning courses are mentioned below: 

Jawaharlal Nehru Academy- It is one of India’s oldest Foreign Language institutes. The institute offers education in different languages like French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, German, Japanese, and Chinese.

Language Next- This private institute located in Noida offers Spanish, German, and French language courses. Other than this, there are several other Foreign Language private centres located in various parts of the country.

Online Foreign Language Programmes

There are several online Foreign Language courses that are offered these days. They allow the learners to grasp everything from the comfort of their homes. All that is required in this method is an electronic device vis-a-vis a tablet, phone, computer etc connected to high-speed internet. Another best thing about this whole online learning method is the learners have the freedom to choose the language they desire to learn. However, online learning can never replicate the ambience of classroom learning which may become boring after some point of time. Online learning should be the last option for learners when they feel that every other viable option is not working out.

Tutor Learning

Learners can easily hire a language tutor with a high level of proficiency in the language they wish to learn. This, by far, is the best way of learning a Foreign Language as the learners will get good attention from the tutor . In this mode of learning, the learners get the freedom to choose the class timing, learning speed, length of each class/session etc. They have the freedom to choose the best tutor with whom they feel comfortable.

However, there are three drawbacks to this mode of language learning -

• Expensive classes

• No learning-like feeling due to no interaction with other students

• Can become tedious and monotonous

Also Read: The English and Foreign Languages University UG Admission 2022 through CUET

Which Foreign Language Learning in India will be the Best?

The answer to the above question depends on the time and purpose one has for pursuing a Foreign Language course. After doing a BA course, Indian students generally go for higher education or take up a job. Both the routes hardly give them time to study a foreign language. But, to expand their career scopes or to take up their existing employability to a higher level, they often show their interest in foreign language learning.

Among all the 6 types of Foreign Language Learning available in India, a full-time course is the best since it requires immense time and dedication. Most importantly, a full-time language degree is always accepted with high esteem. A BA graduate should understand that the time and effort he/she will put into the course will bring endless benefits to their career. Hence, a full-time or regular course is always the first place on the list.

However, if anyone is already in employment or pursuing a full-time course, then it would be impractical to suggest them to enroll in another regular course. For them, the part-time courses offered by the private institutes or Culture Centres of Foreign Embassies’ would be the safest solution.

Again, if an individual is always on move because of their jobs, online Foreign Language courses will successfully lead them to their desired path.

Popular Foreign Languages Taught in India

In this section, we will provide you with a list of top 10 foreign languages which are taught in India and is in high demand. By learning any of these languages an individual can attract handsome salary packages. 

1. French - One of the most popular languages in India, French is not only a part of the Indian School curriculum but has also invaded the corporate world. There are numerous benefits of learning the French language as a wide range of industries like banking & finance, education, travelling etc use French as their working language. Currently, there are 30 French-Speaking countries across different continents. After English, French is the second-most-studied language around the world.

2. Korean - Korean is dominantly spoken in both North and South Korea. It is the official language of both countries. With several Korean companies like Lotte, Posco, Hyundai, KIA, LG, Samsung etc doing business on Indian shores, there has been a steady increase in demand for Korean courses  in the last couple of years. Currently, South Korea has the world’s 7th largest export economy and by learning the Korean language, you will be able to hit an excellent pay package with less competition.

3. Arabic - In the last couple of decades, the middle-east countries have been a hot destination for the Indians. With rich natural resources and teeming with job opportunities, these countries have attracted millions of Indians. Having good proficiency in Arabic means the next one on the flight to one of these countries could be you. Today, Arabic holds the position of 5th most spoken language on the global level. It is also among the 6 official languages of the United Nations spoken by more than 300 million people across 26 nations.

4. Italian - Italy is one of the wealthiest nations in the world with the World’s 8th largest economy. In India, there is currently a tremendous demand for those natives who are proficient in Italian due to the presence of big establishments like Gucci, Benetton, Fiat etc. in the Indian market. Also, Italian is considered an easy language to learn compared to languages like Russian, German or French.

5. Portuguese - With international ties between Brazil and India strengthening in the last couple of years, the demand for Portuguese-speaking natives has increased exponentially in not only Portugal and Brazil but in all those countries where it is the dominant language. Industries like exports, accounts, finance, technology, etc are already seeing a spike in the number of required natives with proficient Portuguese.

6. Russian - Russia has always been a good ally to India since its independence in 1947. Indians get a lot of opportunities in the Russian defence, Oil & Gas, Science & Technology, Engineering sectors. Russian literature and leaders have also influenced India in many ways. It is due to these things, learning the Russian language can be appreciably beneficial to the Indians.

7. Mandarin (Chinese) - Chinese influence has been constantly growing especially in India since the turn of this century. China currently has the world’s second-largest GDP at 12.24 trillion USD and is already dictating terms at the global business level. This is the best time to learn Mandarin as it is expected that China will become a global powerhouse in the coming years.

8. Japanese - With high quality and technologically revolutionary products, Japan has always been the center stage of innovation. There is a huge demand for Japanese-speaking candidates both in India and abroad because of the language being the hardest of all to learn. A Japanese proficient speaker is always paid in high figures, both in India and abroad.

9. Spanish - Spanish is spoken in 20 countries which once used to be its colonies. Spanish is the third most popular language in India after German and French. Spanish music, football teams etc are very popular amongst the Indians. With an increase in ties between India and other Hispanic countries, it is probably the best time to learn Spanish (Espanyol) which can give a massive boost to the career of the Indians.

10. German - After French, German or Deutsche is the most popular foreign language in India. All the European countries speak and understand German and German giants like BMW, Volkswagen, Bosch, Siemens etc have a stronghold over the Indian market. German along with French is taught in Indian schools as part of the academic curriculum. 

Top 5 Colleges Offering Foreign Language Courses in India

Listed below are top 5 colleges that are famous for offering Foreign Language courses in India: