How many languages can you confidently speak?
Most airlines prefer to hire candidates who are fluent in English – given the fact that that it is the universal language that a lot of countries can understand.
However, there are also some aviation companies that include fluency in other languages in their qualifications. Don’t get us wrong: not being able to speak in French or Mandarin doesn’t lessen your chances of earning your wings. It’s just that, when you have other tricks up your sleeve, you do have an edge among your other competitors.
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Communication is the Key
When you are a cabin crew, you are required to communicate with your fellow crews for you to be able to provide a better service. Also, you’ll need to attend to your passengers, and there are instances when they can’t speak English or they are more comfortable in their mother tongue. The language barrier can be a hindrance in customer service. Therefore, learning a new language will definitely be helpful!
However, if you are a flight attendant who can barely survive a demanding schedule, how can you learn a new language?
1. Enroll in an online class
Since you will be mostly busy, you probably won’t have the time to physically attend schools just to learn a new language. Nowadays, there are websites and apps that allow you to enroll in an online course where you will be able to download the lecture videos offline. Through an online course, you will be able to study during your free time. No need to worry about schedule conflicts!
2. Visit the country itself
Listening to people converse in their mother tongue will help you appreciate and learn the proper pronunciation of the words in the language you’re studying. Say, if you are learning the Korean language, the best way to learn is to have a drink inside a local coffee shop in South Korea and try to observe how they converse. You can also hear an unfamiliar word or two, which you can easily Google the meaning of.
3. Learn a sentence or two each day
Before you head out for work, you can browse your language book and learn a new phrase or sentence. Try to memorize and break it down so you can understand the meaning of each word and how it was constructed. At the end of the day before hitting the hay, recall what you have learned and make sure to write it down in a notebook so you can monitor what you have successfully learned.
4. Watch a foreign show
During your rest days, you can watch an episode or two of a foreign TV show without any subtitles. It may be hard at first, but you’ll be able to learn so much through it. By doing so, you are allowing yourself to decipher what the actors are saying by listening carefully.
5. Find a language partner
For sure, you have some fellow crews who are also interested in learning the same language as you. To make studying easier and more exciting, find yourself a language buddy! Both of you can practice your skills by talking to each other through your chosen language personally. Also, you can play a game during your free time!
It is true that “actions speak louder than words,” but there are also instances when you need verbal communication to be able to express yourself appropriately. Learning a new language will help you not only in dealing with your passengers but will also be beneficial when you are staying in a foreign country.