Employer Preferences: Do Bilingual Applicants and Employees Experience an Advantage?

• In Event: 75.012 - Rethinking Bilingual Education: New Research on the Economic Benefits of Bilingualism

Abstract

Objective: This study seeks to understand the "market value" bilingualism carries for a person entering the job market or seeking a promotion.

Methods/Findings: Findings from 289 companies representing a wide range of industries demonstrated employers regarded bilingualism as a desirable trait for some if not all job openings. Bilingual candidates were also more likely to be offered a job than monolingual candidates. Additional findings from survey and interviews with 10 employees suggest bilingual employees bring critical interpersonal skills to the workplace.

Significance/Conclusion: As the U.S. continues to diversify linguistically and companies become more multinational, multiple language skills will likely hold a larger premium. Findings from the present study suggest that process is already well underway among industries and agencies hoping to serve clients whose primary language is not English.

Author

• Diana A. Porras, California State University - Long Beach