By completing this module, I will be able to
Do you feel at ease when communicating in more than two or three languages?
Do you feel like your identity changes when you communicate in different languages? If so, can you think of a specific example? (e.g., when I speak in my L1 I don’t ever use bad words but when I speak in my L2 it is easier for me to use swear words).
Based on your answer in the previous activity, think about the following questions:
When you think about applying for a job, how does your identity as a language learner fit in? Use the prompts below to help you be specific!
I think my ability to communicate in will make it easier to identify and integrate into .
I have always wanted to work in a , and I think my knowledge of will help me identify with and integrate into this professional environment.
I believe my proficiency in means I can adapt to/integrate into a culture more easily.
Watch this video on how language informs the identity of J. Lou (a content creator and influencer based in Hong Kong)
Why Everyone Should Learn a Second Language [J.Lou TedxHKU]
J. Lou has selected a series of images and photos to describe who she is.
A. What images and/or photos would you use to describe who you are?
J. Lou explains how she struggled to answer this question because she always had to prove or explain where she was from.
A. How would you answer this question?
B. Do you struggle to answer it, too?
Third culture kids are kids who spend their formative years outside their parents’ cultures and thus create a culture of their own. J. Lou explains how it can mean different things to different people.
A. Do you identify as a third culture kid?
B. Why or why not?
J. Lou describes finding a sense of community thanks to her Instagram series.
A. Do you feel like you have a sense of community (online and/or in real life)?
J. Lou says language learning makes your brain really cool.
What are some of the ways it does this?
J. Lou says she will answer the question ‘Where are you from?’ with pride in the future.
A. Can you answer it with pride, too?
B. how do you think your answer will inform/influence your choices in the future, especially those related to a possible career?
Create an “elevator pitch” in which you briefly (+/- 45 seconds) describe how languages shape your identity and how this self-knowledge will orient you when you are looking for a job. If you want to keep the conversation going, share your pitch with someone you trust!
Identity Capital can be boosted by language learning allowing recent graduates to create a robust sense of professional identity that can then help them adapt to and integrate into different corporate/professional cultures/environments.
At the end of this capital, take a moment to reflect. Learning is not just about gaining knowledge — it's about recognising what you can do with it and what you still want to develop. Use the questions below to capture your personal takeaways and map out your next steps.
Identify key insights from this capital.
Think about my current skills and strengths.
Define my future learning goals and strategies.
This short reflection helps you to:
You can fill this out independently or use it in conversations with a career adviser, academic mentor or peer group. Over time, your responses will help you see the full scope of your language-related em-ployability profile.
