With increasing globalization and interaction amongst the people of various countries, the need for understanding people who speak different language is growing. A language is now learnt less as a hobby and more as a skill to be used for career advancement. Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind that just gaining proficiency in a language is not sufficient what is really valued is its usage in context to the technical, professional or practical skills that one has.

There are a few careers like those of interpreters and translators, and of course teaching, that are essentially based on language skills. However for a growing number of careers languages are a useful, sometimes even essential, secondary skill. The areas in which knowledge of a foreign language may not be used in day to day working but nonetheless would prove to be an asset if acquired, are the travel and tourism sector, banking, export marketing, civil service etc.

The scope and prospects, other then depending upon the level of skills that one acquires, would also depend upon the language that is learnt. For example, those learning Russian, Japanese or Arabic have bright prospects in India, because of the growing business and interaction between these countries and us.

Educational Qualification:
There are two ways through which one can learn a foreign language. First is the option to pursue a three-year or a five-year integrated graduate course in a particular language after completion of 10+2. Jawaharlal Nehru University at New Delhi is one of the better-known institutions offering such 5 year integrated course. It admits candidates through an entrance test.

The second option is to learn a foreign language through taking courses offered by cultural centers attached to embassies, such as Alliance Françoise, the Max Mueller Bhavan etc. They conduct basic as well as advanced courses. These courses can even be pursued by school children.