The top-paid second language in international trade and business, especially within Western economies, is generally considered to be Mandarin Chinese.
Here's why:

• China is a global economic powerhouse: As the world’s second-largest economy and a major player in global supply chains, trade, and manufacturing, Mandarin is highly valuable for professionals working with or in Asia.
• High demand, low supply: While China is a dominant player in trade, few Western professionals speak Mandarin fluently, making it a rare and highly marketable skill.
• Industry impact: Sectors like manufacturing, logistics, finance, and tech often deal directly with Chinese firms or consumers.

​Other high-earning second languages in international business:

Language	Strengths in Trade/Business Context
German	Germany is Europe’s largest economy and a global export leader. Valuable in EU markets and engineering sectors.
Spanish	Widely spoken across the Americas; useful in U.S., Latin American trade, and global logistics.
Japanese	Japan is a leader in tech, automotive, and finance; valued in high-level negotiations.
Arabic	Important in energy (oil/gas), construction, and international contracting, particularly in MENA markets.
French	Official language in many international organizations and across parts of Africa and Europe.

More info about the language programs