PAs and secretaries have never had more opportunities to work abroad but lack of language proficiency may prevent them from taking that dream job in Paris, Madrid or Rome.

As a nation we have become complacent about learning a foreign language because English is spoken so widely. But our laid-back approach could be affecting our chances in the rapidly emerging European jobs market.

Paul Smith, a director with the international recruitment agency Harvey Nash, says that being unable to speak a second language is a sizeable barrier for PAs and secretaries hoping to work in the global market: “It inhibits your CV; it inhibits your ability to get a better job in the UK with a company that has European connections; and it certainly inhibits your chances of getting a job abroad.”

Tackling the language bar- rier is one of the aims of the Council of Europe, an organisation that encourages the development of Europe’s cultural identity and diversity. It points out that globalisation and patterns of business ownership mean that citizens increasingly need foreign language skills to work effectively — even in their own countries.

Smith agrees. “But which languages do we choose? French, German or Italian? It really depends on whether you are working for an organisation that is dealing with a particular country. Here at Harvey Nash we have someone who speaks fluent Japanese and she deals with our Japanese clients. Now that is business we would not have if she wasn’t here.”

Kaye Lamb, 23, uses her fluent Spanish every day as an export sales administrator for Sutcliffe Play, a company based in West Yorkshire that manufactures and distri- butes playground equipment throughout the UK and Europe. “I did Spanish at GCSE and loved it. I wanted to work in an office where I could use it, so when this job was advertised I jumped at the chance,” she says.

Her job involves dealing with orders over the phone or by e-mail. “I like to phone customers because it means I can use my Spanish — and they appreciate being spoken to in their own language,” she says. “But if it’s siesta time, I’ll e-mail them.”

Kaye was encouraged to learn Spanish when young, but not every school puts as much emphasis on languages.

Rachael Bunney, head of marketing and communications at Select Appointments, says that the Government is trying to address the fact that we don’t normally start to learn a second language until secondary school age and even then languages are not compulsory at GCSE and A level. “But if you have taken the trouble to learn a second or third language, the important thing is to keep it up,” she says.

Using it, or losing it, is something that concerns Elaine Farkhoy, 47, a PA from Leeds. She studied French and Italian at university and then comple-ted a postgraduate bilingual secretarial course. But in the North, where she is based, she has found little opportunity to use her skills. “It’s very frustrating,” she says. “I am registered with several recruitment agencies and study the jobs pages every week, but there isn’t that much call for bilingual secretaries where I live.”

Her advice to other secretaries is to consider moving to London — or even abroad — to use their languages. “You need to be clear about what you want to do with your languages and where you are prepared to go.”

Farkhoy, who currently temps as a medical secretary, keeps her languages up by attending courses whenever she can. Bunney says this is important. “The ideal job might turn up at any time, and if that’s the case you need to be up to speed,” she says. “But when looking for work, think about the type of company that would utilise your skills. There are many multinational companies whose head offices are based in this country.”

So should PAs and secretaries take themselves off to night school? Yes, she says. “And don’t just think of traditional European languages. Consider others that are increasingly important as far as global business is concerned, such as Arabic, Turkish and Japanese.”

Smith agrees: “Until we get better with languages we are going to continue missing out in the world market.”

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