Foreign Language Use in Domestic Business Environments

1. Foreign Language Use inDomestic Business Environments Ernie Sandoval

2. Importance of Knowing Another Language in Today’s Domestic Business Environment • After researching foreign language use in the domestic business environment, I interviewed 3 people who use a second language in their daily jobs. • How frequently do they use a second language in their daily jobs? • Was knowing a second language a requirement when they were hired for their jobs or for hiring decisions made in their jobs today? If so, how important? • Do they use a second language to assist them in local or international aspects of their jobs?

3. In The Legal Environment • Blanca Sandoval, Clerk Coordinator for the 1st District Appellate Court • It is the largest district in all of Illinois – located in the city of Chicago – with constituents from a number of diverse backgrounds. • Although knowing a second language was not a requirement when she was hired for her job, it was a definite plus that her past experience included experience in a public legal processing office where a large number of people used English as a second language. • The court benefited from this experience by obtaining an employee who could better assist both other employees and customers in both practice and procedure. • Example: Pro Se Litigates

4. In The Financial Environment • Silvia Padila, Financial Representative Supervisor for First Bank located in Chicago • silvia.padila@fboi.com • Knowing Spanish was a requirement when she was hired for her job 14 years ago because her branch demographic is Spanish/bilingual. • She hires for her department only individuals with a Spanish background or a degree in Spanish since over 85% of her customers meet these criteria themselves. • Working in the area of customer service, use of a second language is daily in such activities as answering phone inquiries. • Customers from around the area, and even those from outside of the area, come to her bank because it offers its services, such as mortgages and refinancing, in Spanish, making the customers feel more comfortable and confident in their financial decision.

5. In The Government Environment • Gloria Lopez, Operations Supervisor for the Index Department for the Secretary of State of Illinois • glopez@ilsos.net • Knowing multiple languages was not a requirement but a plus when she was hired for her job because she would be dealing with foreign public constituents, specifically making foreign and state certifications. • However, knowing multiple languages was a personal requirement for her because the state offered additional compensation to employees with this valuable skill. • When hiring others, she also views knowing another language not as a necessity but as a definite plus, knowing that she herself utilizes her multiple languages in over 80% of her job functions. • She is able to converse and inform as well as translate documents to be used internationally for her constituents – for example, foreign adoptions, school transcripts, and international business transactions. • She has both local and international relations, working closely with foreign consol ants – for example, the Colombian, Guatemalan, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Greek