Q: I might be moving to Vancouver, BC metro area in a few years to take up nursing/public health and I was wondering what other languages besides French and English are considered valuable in the workforce there? Cantonese or Mandarin? Hindi? Do hospitals try to recruit workers who are fluent in other languages?
A: If you are fluent in English you don't need another language at all. 99% of people can speak and understand English to some extent. In Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, and New Westminster I would recommend taking both Mandarin and Cantonese because there are many Chinese living here. Cantonese is perhaps even more beneficial since a large portion of Chinese immigrants originated from Hong Kong. As you move east to Surrey or Abbotsford you will find Punjabi to be helpful. Hindi isn't really as popular as Punjabi for the most part. French is entirely unnecessary for a nursing job in BC as most people can't speak more French than Bonjour and Oui. Good Luck!