Many career experts will tell you that it’s vital to learn new skills to stay afloat and competitive in a tough job market. If you’re like me, you equate that with hard skills, like some sort of computer proficiency like Web design, or knowledge that’s very specific to a trade (like medical billing). Often overlooked is the most basic of communication skills — learning a new language.

Like anything else, becoming conversant in a new language requires a time and money investment, and therefore, you need to consider what the payoff will be beyond showing off at parties. In other words, you’ll have to choose a language that can open up new career avenues for you. For instance, if you currently work in the business sector and deal with international clients, it might serve you to learn Japanese if that’s what your company’s client base speaks. If you work in fields like homeland security or in the armed forces, being able to speak and understand Arabic is an extremely coveted skill (think Jack Bauer on “24″!). Educators who can speak Spanish or Chinese can better serve a growing population of ESL students. If you work in the hotel and restaurant industry, consider learning a language that will help you better converse with clients and vendors (perhaps French or Italian?). Realtors who work in areas with a lot of non-English speaking buyers/sellers can pick up new business by eliminating the need for a translator. The list goes on and on…

The great thing about learning a language, is that it’s a skill you can take with you forever, and it’s relatively less expensive to pursue than some other courses of study. Plus, many language study providers allow you to learn at home online, or with really in-depth software programs. In other words, it can be done at your own pace. On an intellectual level, once you become confident in your new language abilities, you’re on your way to experiencing a whole new culture, and it may even inspire you to visit new places — not only in your career, but in your personal travels.

What about you? Have you been considering learning a language? Or if you have already, please share how it’s helped in your career and life.