Introduction

Chinese is the “it” language of the twenty-first century. With China poised to surpass the United States as the world’s number one economy in just a few short decades, and more and more international businesses requiring Mandarin proficiency of its executives alongside English, more and more American students are rushing to learn Chinese abroad. Chinese is the single most common spoken language, with one-fifth of the world’s population speaking it. Learning Chinese Mandarin isn’t just beneficial for doing business in China – Mandarin is also spoken in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It is the second-biggest economy in the world and one of the most important trading partners for companies globally, particularly in Asia and the US. As a result, many MBAs are flocking to China, either to complete their studies or for jobs post-graduation.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that learning Mandarin can be a great weapon to have in your arsenal when applying for jobs.

• Learning Mandarin can help to develop a stronger relationship with Chinese business partners. 
• Chinese language will help if you work in consumer goods, as it will help you understand the culture and find out about competitor products.
• Learning Mandarin hones your communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, helping you to negotiate better with suppliers or customers.
• If you love international travelling then learning Chinese will make travel much smoother, particularly within smaller cities in China. 
• To quickly boost your resume is ill-advised and near-impossible; your motivation to learn the language should be to understand where you live and work better.
• Outside of China, many other universities offer Chinese learning programs in conjunction with MBA study.
• You can become an interpreter for your organization. 
• Even if you require interpreters for more in-depth discussions, making an effort to speak the language develops a better interpersonal relationship, which is very important in Chinese business. 
• Mandarin competency can also come in useful when checking documents like contracts.
• With a wide range of industries, emerging markets and an increase in spending power, China has become a wise choice for foreign companies looking to expand their business overseas. 
• You also need to have the arsenal to understand complex business practices and issues in China. 
• You can become a representative of your company during negotiations, build rapport with Chinese clients, deploy company culture, read Chinese contracts, and more.