The relevance of bilingual proficiency in U.S. corporate settings

This chapter explores the extent to which some bilingual Mexican professionals employ their two languages, English and Spanish, in performing their jobs as managers in US corporations. Scholars interested in promoting advanced levels of second language proficiency for students in US schools have also noted that variants of immersion instruction constitute one means of developing high level language skills; future occupational relevance is one factor motivating native language conservation and literacy development. Commentators examining the role of bilingual skills in US corporations and in occupations ranging from restaurant work and operation of small business to nursing in a large US metropolis have found that several factors such as the nature of a company’s product or services. Although each case is unique, some common features can be discerned. First, bilingual skills gave these managers a point of entry into US corporate employment when they were first hired.