Jocelyn: Knowledge Management Professional Leading with French & Spanish

Meet Jocelyn—a Senior Knowledge Manager in the Legal sector with a focus on Immigration.

I encourage anyone with even a small vocabulary to speak the language they are learning at every opportunity.

Languages: English, French, and Spanish

Grew Up: Near Chicago

Degrees Held: Northwestern (B.A.); Boston University (M.A.) in International Relations & International Communications

How have your language and cultural skills supported and/or enhanced your professional opportunities?

My French skills and my experiences living in France and Belgium have prompted numerous connections I would not otherwise have had.

I was quickly awarded a new position and a relocation to Brussels when my employer in Chicago became aware of my French language skills and my experience living in France. I worked closely coordinating immigration cases with my counterparts in France and Switzerland, as well as those in francophone Africa. Later, I found my French-speaking professional contacts in Boston to be excited to connect in French and, while I was working on my master’s degree, I was able to secure an internship with the French consulate in Boston.

I continue to connect socially and professionally with French and Spanish speakers and make a point to use the language skills I have whenever an opportunity arises. My connections with my French- and Spanish-speaking colleagues are stronger as a result of these small efforts (and, I believe, my understanding of the challenge they face working in a second language every day).

What advice would you share with current language learners or those considering studying a language?

I encourage anyone with even a small vocabulary to speak the language they are learning at every opportunity. The more words you say and hear, the more comfortable you will become speaking your target language. If you repeat a standard greeting one hundred times, it will become second nature and, perhaps, prompt you to add a new phrase to your repertoire.

I remind language learners that even a brief comment in the target language demonstrates to a heritage speaker that you have an interest in learning their language, which can make a world of difference in a country where so many people are simply expected to learn English quickly (and derided if they are not able to do so).

It’s often said that English is the language of global business, and because of that, language skills aren’t necessary to succeed. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Certainly, many people have found and continue to find success without ever studying a second language or venturing out of their home country. However, the breadth of their success and their lives will always be limited as a result. They will miss a world of stimulating relationships, conversations and experiences that only those who put themselves out there in the world and risk a little discomfort for a bounty of reward can have.

Do you have an interesting, moving, or humorous anecdote featuring your language or cultural skills to share?

One of my most memorable moments teaching in France was a day in class when my middle school students started imitating what I had just said to them in English. They were playfully mimicking me and I was taken completely aback by their ability to say phrases in English with such a compelling mid-western American accent. This was a skill I had not heard from them before!

To their surprise, I applauded them and did my best to impress upon them that, while they thought they were being silly, we truly improve our speaking skills when we aim to mimic the sounds (intonation, phrasing, emphasis…) we hear from heritage speakers.

I hope they remember this moment, too, and have let their guards down in similar ways since then.

Explore testimonials by multilingual professionals across sectors, and tell us how you put your language skills to work @LangConnectsFdn on social media.

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