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Thanks for reading the Multilingual Books newsletter, your source for foreign language news, information, and product information and specials from Multilingual Books. In this issue:
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Multilingualism boosts European competitiveness
European Commission Press Release
Each year, thousands of European companies lose business and miss out on contracts as a result of their lack of language skills, according to a study carried out for the European Commission during 2006 by CILT, the UK National Centre for Languages, published today. The findings suggest that there is enormous potential for small businesses in Europe to increase their total exports if they invest more in languages and develop coherent language strategies. Recent research shows that companies that enhance their language skills can exploit better the business opportunities in the EU’s internal market, which, with nearly half a billion people, is the world’s largest.
“Far from being an unwelcome cost to doing business", European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, said, "investing in language skills can dramatically improve a company’s business opportunities. I plan to place multilingualism at the heart of the Lisbon strategy for more growth and jobs.”
The study, entitled “Effects on the European Economy of Shortages of Foreign Language Skills in Enterprise“, is the first attempt at European level to estimate the cost to EU business of not having foreign language skills. The data in the study is based on a sample of 2000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, correlated with information from 30 multinational companies and a group of experts from the countries involved, and supplemented by a set of case studies.
Nearly half of the exporting SMEs surveyed are planning to expand into new foreign markets in the next three years. Consequently they predict an increase in their demand for language skills to meet this expansion. However, instead of investing in language training themselves, they prefer to look to the Member States’ education and training systems to provide them with people with the right language skills. Or they simply look on the labour market for geographically mobile people who have the required language skills.
The research shows that these responses are increasingly inadequate. A significant proportion of European companies are losing export business through lack of language skills and intercultural skills. The study suggests that increasing investment to develop language skills across the EU would produce far-reaching economic benefits, especially in terms of a positive impact on SME productivity and export performance.
While the report confirms the importance of English as the world business language, other languages are used extensively as intermediary languages. In particular, the analysis reveals that there is a need for a range of other languages if business relationships are to be built successfully. Those cited as being the most important include the main European languages, such as German, French and Spanish, but increasingly also other world languages like Mandarin, Arabic and Russian.
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Philippine Headstart Tagalog Course Now Available By Download! Language Associates Philippine Headstart is now available in a downloadable version! The Language Associates Digital Editions are the popular FSI courses in full digital format - all course material is included, but all audio is in MP3 format and all reading material is in PDF format. These courses are considered by many to be the best and most complete language courses available. Get the benefits of full FSI courses with increased portability and substantial savings! Please note that Digital Edition courses require a computer capable of playing MP3s and displaying PDF files. Digital Edition downloads are currently available for French, Hebrew, Hungarian, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and many other languages. Download and save! We are introducing our downloads at less than half the price of the hardcopy courses. Why? Well, when you buy in downloadable format, we save, so you save! No printing, reproduction, packaging, handling, and shipping costs for us means big savings for you. Check out our Philippine Headstart Tagalog Digital Edition Download Page! |  |
October Top Products
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Last month's quiz: This month, many students and teachers go back to school! What is the English equivalent and language of these (more or less) relevant terms?
Lezen - read, Dutch The winner is Ani A. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered. This month's quiz: For kids and homeowners, that spooooky time of year is here! What is the English meaning and language of these Halloween-themed words? Kürbis Feiticeiro Snoep Heureux Barn The answers and this month's winner will be in our next newsletter. Winners receive their choice of one Talk Now or World Talk language CD-ROM! No purchase necessary to enter. Have a favorite item of language trivia? Send it to contest@multilingualbooks.com. You will receive credit for your contribution if your item is used. E-mail your entry to:
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Check it out at https://www.euro-languages.net/.
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FREE Shipping on All Eurotalk Products! Talk Now and World Talk CD-ROM Courses
For a limited time, get FREE shipping (US orders only) on all Eurotalk products, including Talk Now and World Talk! Order today to save with our one week only newsletter special! Use promo code M-EFS-10 to receive this special. |
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Save $25 on Foreign Service Institute Courses!
Foreign Service Institute Courses
Language Associates FSI Digital Editions For a limited time, save $25 on any Foreign Service Institute course including Digital Editions! Download delivery courses not included in this offer. Use promo code M-F25 to receive this special. Order today! |
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Save $100 on Blip and Blab ESL Video Course!
Blip and Blab ESL Video Course For a limited time, save $25 off list price on Blip and Blab ESL Video Course! One week only. Use promo code M-BB100 to receive this special. Order today! |
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Save $50 on Any On The Go Preloaded IPod!
On The Go Preloaded IPods with Preloaded Language Lessons For a limited time, save $50 on any On The Go Preloaded IPod! One week only. Use promo code M-OTG50 to receive this special. Order today! |
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