ON COURSE

Ranchi, May 24: Speak your way to a fast-track career in a foreign language.

Pooja Singh, a second-year student of mass communication in Karim City College in Jamshedpur wants to pursue film studies in Germany after graduation, as she feels European cinema is rich in aesthetics and content.

A class topper, Pooja has already started doing her groundwork by learning German, hoping that gives her an edge over other applicants. “I have always loved German, but it’s only now that I think learning a foreign tongue ups your chances of success,” she feels.

Pooja isn’t alone. Rohit Kumar, a BCA student of St Xavier’s College, Ranchi, is learning French.

Rakesh Sinha, a Ranchi-born MBA graduate, who moved to Mumbai last month, has started a crash course in Japanese. “Learning a foreign tongue opens up job prospects and adds weight to your CV, especially if you want to be a translator or an interpreter. You can vie for embassy jobs if you are unhappy with placements,” says Kumar.

According to Yahiya Ibrahim, professor of English and in-charge of the foreign language cell at Karim City, the trend of learning foreign languages is on the rise since the past two years.

“In Jamshedpur, French and German are drawing in more students,” he says.

The cradle offers courses in French, German and Arabic, with 60-70 seats in each. “Seats are full,” said Ibrahim.

Up next, the college will start Chinese, as there is huge demand for the language with China’s rising economic clout. “We’re trying to rope in faculty for Chinese and Spanish from Calcutta,” said the professor.

“Today’s GeNext likes options. They also know the importance of a field that can open up new and exciting avenues. We only offer French, which isn’t compulsory, but the batch is full,” said St Xavier’s principal Fr Nicholas Tete.