Successful foreign language use requires not only knowledge, but communicative skills.

I don’t know if it’s a European thing, but suddenly I’m hearing the term “soft skills” everywhere.

According to Whatis.com, a specialized site for current workplace and technical language definitions:

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable.

Often called “people skills” in the USA, soft skills have now entered the domain of foreign language teaching and learning in a big way.

It’s only logical. If even native speakers need soft skills to communicate effectively in a professional environment, it stands to reason that language learners must also be tuned into more than grammar and vocabulary.

English teacher Julie Menochelli predicted in 2006 that as young people learn English (as a foreign language) earlier and better, university and adult language education would focus not so much on how to speak correctly, but on how to speak appropriately and efficiently in a professional setting.

At any rate, the importance of soft skills in language use certainly indicates how complex it is to truly master a foreign language.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• Language Translation, Inc.
  A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.