Obsessive Discipline

Before We Start: Understanding Language Proficiency Levels

During the article, you’ll see me mention some letters like A1, B2, and C1 now and then. They represent the language proficiency levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and are widely recognized as the standard for measuring language ability. Check them out:

• A1 (Beginner): You can understand and use basic phrases and expressions for everyday needs, such as introducing yourself and asking simple questions.
• A2 (Elementary): You can communicate in simple, routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar topics. You can describe aspects of your background and immediate environment.
• B1 (Intermediate): You can handle most situations likely to arise while traveling or working in areas where the language is spoken. You can produce simple, connected text on familiar topics and describe experiences, events, and ambitions.
• B2 (Upper Intermediate): You can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field. You can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
• C1 (Advanced): You can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. You can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
• C2 (Proficient): You can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. You can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. You can express yourself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s start the article and take the first step toward expanding your freelance business internationally.

Table of Contents

1. Choosing which language to learn first
   • Start with English (if not already proficient)
   • Choose a Language Similar to Your Native Language
   • What about those in the African countries?
2. Assessing the Demand in Your Industry
   • Technology and IT
   • Finance and Banking
   • Healthcare and Life Sciences
   • Marketing and Creative Industries
   • Engineering and Manufacturing
   • Tourism and Hospitality
3. Understanding the Difficulty Level of Learning a New Language
   • New Scripts and Alphabets
   • Grammar Structures
   • Vocabulary Acquisition
   • Input and Immersion
4. Practical Tips for Learning a New Language
   • Set Clear Goals
   • Use Language Apps (Sparingly and with Caution)
   • Practice with Native Speakers (But Only After Building a Foundation)
   • Specialize in Industry-Specific Vocabulary
   • Be Patient and Consistent
5. Conclusion

Choosing which language to learn first

Start with English: English is the most commonly used language in the freelance world, so a good command of it is essential. If you already know it, you’re in a good position already.

Choose a Language Similar to Your Native Language:

• Spanish Native Speakers: Consider learning Italian, Portuguese, or French due to their linguistic similarities. Brazilian Portuguese, for example, allows you to reach 215+ million people you otherwise couldn’t.
• English Native Speakers: German is a good choice, as it’s relatively close to English in terms of grammar and vocabulary.
• Speakers of the Big 3 Asian Languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean): Pick one of the other two that you don’t already speak to maximize your reach in Asian markets.

Other Asian Language Speakers:

• Vietnamese, Thai, and Similar Languages: Mandarin or Cantonese would be useful choices due to their widespread use in business and trade and relative geographical proximity.
• Tagalog and Indonesian: If you’re a native speaker of Tagalog, then Spanish would be a good option to choose after English (aside from Mandarin or Cantonese). You’ll also probably have an easier time with Portuguese (but will be harder than Spanish). For my Indonesian readers, you could try your hand at Dutch, but I’d still recommend focusing on English and/or Mandarin (or Cantonese if you’d like to do business in Hong Kong).
• Punjabi, Tamil, Hindi, Urdu: Consider either one of the Big 3 Asian languages (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean) or one of the main European languages like English, German, or French.

What about those in the African countries?

• For my African readers, I’d suggest sticking with either English or French (although a case for Dutch can be made as well). I don’t think spending your precious time learning other African languages is preferable over those two languages, and I also don’t think it’s a good idea to learn Asian languages to try and tap into those markets since you might find them a bit too, for the lack of a better word, unwelcoming towards those high in melanin content.

Assessing the Demand in Your Industry

Before you start learning a new language, it’s a good idea to assess the demand for that language in your specific industry.

Certain languages are more valuable in specific sectors, and understanding this can greatly enhance your career prospects. Here’s a brief overview of how to consider language demand based on industry:

1. Technology and IT:
   • High Demand Languages: English, Mandarin, German, Japanese, Russian (and by extension Georgian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian).
   • Here’s why: The tech industry is globally driven by English, but countries like China, Germany, and Japan are major players in innovation and technology exports, while the Eastern European countries have some big tech companies with lots of money to spend on capable freelancers. Knowing these languages can give you a competitive edge in tech-focused roles.
2. Finance and Banking:
   • High Demand Languages: English, Mandarin, Spanish, German, French.
   • Here’s why: English dominates global finance, but understanding Mandarin is very, very useful in this sector, especially if you make a living trading in the stock market and trade stock from Iron and Steel companies for example. Meanwhile, Spanish, German, and French are also good choices here.
3. Healthcare and Life Sciences:
   • High Demand Languages: English, German, Mandarin, French.
   • Here’s why: English is essential in the global medical community, but German and French will serve you well here. An example where German could be very useful in the Healthcare sector is in Switzerland actually. If you work in healthcare AND can speak German, go to Zurich. You’ll get hired on the spot since they are always short on capable healthcare professionals.
4. Marketing and Creative Industries:
   • High Demand Languages: English, Spanish, French, Japanese.
   • Here’s why: Global marketing campaigns require multilingual reach. Spanish and French allow you to tap into Europe and Latin America, while Japanese is crucial for creative industries in Japan. Also, Japanese clients pay very well based on personal experience.
5. Engineering and Manufacturing:
   • High Demand Languages: German, Japanese, Mandarin, English.
   • Here’s why: Germany is world-known for its engineering and manufacturing, and Mandarin is key in China’s vast manufacturing sector, while also being useful in places like Singapore. English remains a stronghold for international collaborations, just remember to also get good at the Metric system if you use Imperial.
6. Tourism and Hospitality:
   • High Demand Languages: English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese.
   • Here’s why: If you work in the hospitality and travel sector, speaking the same language as your clients is a game changer (well, duuh, captain obvious). To be honest, this sector benefits so much from learning different languages that you can literally pick whichever language you like the most and profit from it. The go-to’s are usually any of the main European ones (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian), or the big 3 Asian (Japanese, Korean, Mandarin).

Understanding the Difficulty Level of Learning a New Language

Choosing which language to learn is just the first step. The next crucial aspect is understanding the difficulty level associated with learning that language. Being realistic about the challenges ahead is essential to maintaining your motivation and reaching your goals efficiently.

When it comes to language learning, your primary objective should be to move past the beginner stages quickly. In other words, focus on getting to a B2 level as soon as possible.

To put it simply, the B2 level is simply the sweet spot for freelancers. It allows you to perform effectively in most professional situations without needing the near-native fluency required for C1 and C2 levels.

While there’s certainly no harm in advancing to these higher levels, the return on time investment greatly diminishes. At B2, you can already manage business operations effectively, so it might be more strategic to consider learning a new language or expanding other aspects of your business, like scaling up, rather than striving for perfection in just this one language.

Here’s how you can approach the difficulty level of language learning:

1. New Scripts and Alphabets: If the language you’re learning uses a different script or alphabet (e.g., Chinese characters (good luck), Cyrillic (surprisingly easy), Arabic), prioritize mastering the basics early on. The quicker you become comfortable with reading and writing* the sooner you’ll be able to engage in business-like scenarios and conversations.
2. Grammar Structures: Some languages have complex grammatical systems that might be challenging, especially if they differ significantly from your native tongue. While grammar is important, don’t get bogged down. Focus on acquiring a working knowledge of grammar that will allow you to form coherent sentences and get your point across. Perfection can come later.
3. Vocabulary Acquisition: Building a strong vocabulary is crucial, but it’s important to approach this step strategically. Focus on the vocabulary that’s most relevant to your industry or field. This way, you’ll be able to start communicating effectively sooner. The dictionary (or Google) is your friend here.
4. Input and Immersion: The most effective way to reach a B2 level quickly is through heavy immersion, complemented by a small percentage of active practice. Think of it as a 90-10 rule: 90% of your efforts should be focused on input—immersing yourself in the language through listening, reading, and consuming as much content as possible. Just don’t spend all your time watching movies and listening to music, though, as these things are more entertainment rather than learning. Listen to podcasts, read articles, this sort of thing. The remaining 10% should be active practice—speaking, writing (of course, if you like getting on calls with your clients, spend more time speaking. If you’re more of an e-mail kind of person, then write, write, and write. Oh, and use a spellchecker).

Practical Tips for Learning a New Language

Learning a new language, especially for business purposes, requires a strategic approach so you don’t waste your time. Here are five practical tips to help you effectively acquire a new language, integrate it into your professional life, and start making money off of it:

1. Set Clear Goals

• Why It Matters: Setting clear, specific goals provides direction and motivation for your language learning journey. Instead of a vague goal like “I want to learn French,” aim for something more concrete, such as “I want to reach B2 in French within 6 months so I can start getting some French clients within the year.”
• How to Do It: Break your goals down into smaller milestones, and reward yourself for reaching them. For instance, by the end of the first month, make it your mission to be able to understand casual conversation in French. By month three, focus on understanding and using business-related vocabulary both in writing and in your thoughts. This structured approach will help you stay focused and measure your progress over time.

2. Use Language Apps (Sparingly and with Caution)

• Why It Matters: Language apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise can be helpful, especially when life gets in the way and you can’t stick to your usual study routine. However, it’s important to recognize that these apps often rely on game-like features that can give a false sense of progress. The real value of these apps lies in their ability to reinforce what you’ve already learned or to serve as a quick refresher when you’re on the go.
• How to Do It: Use language apps sparingly, and don’t rely on them as your primary learning tool. Instead, use them to practice vocabulary you’ve already encountered or review grammar points. For those days when life wants you to miss your daily study, use these apps to get at least something done, instead of nothing.

3. Practice with Native Speakers (But Only After Building a Foundation AND Keep the Stakes Low)

• Why It Matters: Practicing with native speakers can be very useful for developing your confidence for business calls. However, jumping into conversations too early on can be discouraging and counterproductive. It’s important to build a solid foundation first so that you can reap bigger rewards from each practice session.
• How to Do It: Focus on reaching at least a B1 level before even thinking about practicing with native speakers, trust me. Your wallet will thank you for that. Also, be mindful to always practice in a “low stake” environment. What I mean is, don’t go practicing with your end-clients right off the bat. Start with some casual iTalki conversations and just take whichever language gains you can. At this level, you’ll have enough vocabulary and grammar knowledge to engage in simple conversations without feeling lost. And remember, earlier on in your studies, prioritize listening to native content (podcasts, videos, etc.) to familiarize yourself with the sounds and rhythms of the language. Once you feel comfortable, gradually increase your speaking practice, but remember that language input is the real MVP in your language learning journey, not output.

4. Specialize in Industry-Specific Vocabulary

• Why It Matters: As we discussed in the “Vocabulary Acquisition” section, the language you learn should be tailored to your professional needs. Mastering general conversational skills is important, but industry-specific vocabulary will enable you to conduct business more effectively.
• How to Do It: After mastering basic vocabulary and reaching an intermediate level (think B1), start focusing on the terminology and phrases that are most relevant to your field. For example, if you’re in finance, learn terms related to banking, investments, and accounting. Incorporate these into your study routine by reading industry-related articles, watching relevant videos, and practicing writing or thinking about your field in the target language.

5. Be Patient and Consistent

• Why It Matters: You can definitely increase your revenue by learning a new language and increasing your client pool. However, you’ll need to be patient, consistent, and committed. The early stages are the hardest for sure, so focus on getting past them ASAP so you can start reaping all the benefits from your new language.
• How to Do It: Set a daily or weekly study schedule that fits into your daily routine. Even 15-30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress over time, especially if you’re very consistent day in and day out. Use a variety of study methods—listening, thinking, reading, writing—to keep things interesting and avoid burnout. Remember that language learning is a cumulative and compounding process, with every bit of practice counting toward your ultimate goal.

These practical tips will not only help you structure your language learning journey but also ensure that the effort you put in translates into real-world success. By setting clear goals, using tools strategically, and focusing on consistent practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the language you need to expand your freelance business.

Conclusion

Learning a new language is not just an academic exercise; it’s an investment in your freelancing career that can open doors to new markets, clients, and opportunities. By carefully choosing which language to learn—considering factors such as similarity to your native language, industry-specific demand, and difficulty level—you can position yourself strategically for success.

Remember, the goal is to reach B2 ASAP.

While getting to C2 has its value, it’s most often not worth the time investment.

If you ever have to choose between getting to C2 on one language versus getting multiple languages to B2, you should pick the latter.

With that said, learning a new language will pay dividends in your freelancing career, enabling you to tap into international markets and broaden your client base.

Embrace the challenge, stay consistent, and you’ll find that the rewards are well worth the effort.