smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Like it or not, setting up business abroad in all probability means you will have to learn the local language to a reasonable standard in order to have a decent shot at success. Just filling in tax and registration forms can require a fluent speaker, let alone actually doing business.

Whether it’s conversing with the locals, writing marketing literature or setting up a website, a good grasp of the local language is essential. If you want to write ‘I sell the highest quality products, tailored to your needs,’ but you end up with the equivalent of ‘Me sell good stuff special for you’, potential customers are going to be less than impressed.

There are a variety of organisations in the UK dedicated to helping individuals and businesses learn new languages. One obvious option is to take a course. Learn Direct have full- and part-time courses available nationwide. Another good source of language courses is the Government website www.direct.gov.uk. This also contains advice on funding your learning. There may be grants or loans available depending on your circumstances.

Of course, there is no substitute for actually spending time in another country as a way of learning the language. Once immersed in the culture, most find they pick up vocabulary very quickly. One failing of language courses is the lack of opportunity to practise outside of the class.

If you do not already have the basics of the language, consider taking a beginners’ class to get started and then visit your chosen country where you can practise speaking to locals while also doing market research for your business. You should find that many people appreciate foreigners’ efforts to speak their language and so will be patient and helpful with you, if you have trouble finding the right words to express yourself.

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