Learn a foreign language

It pays if you understand different cultures and speak their languages.

Globalisation and multiculturalism have resulted in cultures and economies being inexorably interlaced. In this scenario, having a good command over a foreign language can give you ample opportunities on the job front, besides adding value to your CV. Knowing a different language opens up a whole new world of art and culture for you to explore. But the best part is that you will not be lost if you ever visit or work in a foreign country if you know their language! “Globalisation has turned the world into a tiny village. It is difficult to understand the politics of another country without knowing their language. For example, knowing Mandarin and Urdu is important because that will help us know more about our neighbours and we won’t have to rely on the Western media. Having knowledge of a foreign language helps remove these barriers,” says Professor M Aslam Islahi, dean, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. We give you a few options where you can opt for a course in some of the major foreign languages.

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Instituto Cervantes
For learners of Spanish. As beginners, you will start with the A1 level, and progress on to A2, B1 etc.

The next weekend batch begins from September 14, 2013 for which you can register till September 10, 2013

Course taught: Intensive and extensive courses, diplomas, and online courses. General courses are conducted in modules of 60 hours

Duration of course: Different levels in different courses have specific hours which are needed to be completed in order to move on to the next level

Course fees: Rs. 10,500

Contact: 011-4368-1900/99, nuevadelhi.cervantes.es

Balassi Institute, Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
Registrations for Hungarian language start in September. “You will have an opportunity to learn a rare language and if you master it really well, you can become a translator for literary work or become a tour leader for tourist groups,” says Johanna Balchandani, senior cultural advisor at the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre.

Course Taught: Beginner and advanced courses

Duration of Course: One semester - five months

Course Fees: Free of charge

Contact: 011-2301-4992, delhi.balassi-intezet.hu

Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
Registrations for the new session are on till from July 30, 2013

Courses taught: Diploma courses in French, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, advanced diploma courses in French, Spanish and Chinese, certificate courses in Russian, Arabic, German, Portuguese and English; courses in advanced English etc

Contact: 011-2338-9942/2005, www.bvbdelhi.org

Alliance Française
For French. The next session at its Delhi centre begins on September 2. Registrations will open on July 29, 2013

Courses taught: DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française). These are the official qualifications issued by the French Education Association for proficiency in this language. French language is taught at different levels of proficiency: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Apart from these, conversation classes are organised too

Course fees: Rs. 14,000 to 16,000 (intensive course), and Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 (extensive course) for beginners

Contact: 011-43500-200/201/202, www.afindia.org

Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan
The next weekend batch will begin in August, “The demand for our courses is increasing every semester. Job prospects also get enhanced if you know German,” says Shatabdi Ghosh Laskar, head of German courses at the institute.

Centre(s): Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai etc

Course taught: There are several intensive, extensive, custom and blended learning courses which are available

Duration of course: Intensive courses could be of 12 or 22. 5 weeks

Course fees: Rs. 18,900

Contact: 011-2347-1100, www.goethe.de/newdelhi