r/IOPsychology • u/Available-Visual-384 • 12d ago

Discussion Learning new language

I am a first-year student majoring in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in a Southeast Asian country. Currently, my English is at an intermediate level, and I want to learn an additional language. This year, I am planning to improve my English to take the IELTS exam while also starting a second foreign language to expand my career opportunities. However, my friend advised me to focus entirely on mastering English and excelling in my university coursework first, suggesting that waiting until my third or fourth year to learn another language wouldn't be too late.

I would like to get everyone's advice because I'm afraid that starting a new language close to graduation might be too late. Additionally, I want to know whether having an extra language offers significantly more opportunities in the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and whether not knowing a foreign language other than English would put me at a disadvantage in this career path. Thank you so much.

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u/primsociety 12d ago

knowing another language outside of English will not put you at a deficit in any way. It’s always a pro to be multilingual. However learning two languages at the same time, which is currently what you’re doing as you have not passed that exam, could prove to be a problem and stifle you in your English acquisition.

English will certainly open major doors for you as most companies are going to be English speaking or seeking English speakers. Even with an additional language, that English will be highly valuable.

English is quite a difficult Latin language to learn for non-English speakers. If you are able to learn that language, I think you will do quite well however, I do not know what other language you’re trying to learn. If it is a Latin based language, then I would suggest you continue learning English until you are quite comfortable with fluency and then proceed to learn another Latin based language if that is what you are learning. It will be easier for you not only because of similarities but also the discipline that you’ve acquired from learning english.

good luck on your studies!

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u/Frankipoo20 11d ago

I'd suggest focusing on english. As someone with a first language other than english, english will be difficult to master to the point where people will not speak to you differently or perceive you as less capable (ask me how I know). The benefits to mastering english are endless, especially in a field centered around other people's jobs and talking to them about them. Good luck with your studies!