Is perfect mastery of French, German and Luxembourgish required to access the coveted civil service in Luxembourg? “The answer is no,” explains the GovJobs portal. Particularly in certain sectors.
In 198418.6% of job offers (all sectors combined) in Luxembourg required knowledge of the Luxembourgish language.
Forty years later, this figure… hasn’t changed that much! In its latest report, Adem reports that 24% of job offers in 2023 required mastery of Luxembourgish. Suit German (required for 31% of job offers), English (58%), and the French who prances in the lead (72%).
But there is a sector which retains the reputation of being particularly demanding regarding mastery of the three administrative languages: the public service. “For a long time, I did not dare apply for civil service jobs, because I judged that my Luxembourgish was not good enough and that I lacked practice in German.” testifies, for example, Virginie Poncin, a civil servant cited by GovJobs, the civil service portal in Luxembourg.
Languages to master… up to a certain level
This communications expert at the State Personnel and Organization Management Center (CGPO) discovered, like many, that speaking the three official languages perfectly is not obligatory to work in the Civil Service, “even if it is important to master them all the same up to a certain level” nuance of GovJobs. For example, “if you are a French speaker (Luxembourgish or not) still having a little difficulty with German or Luxembourgisharm yourself with a desire to learn, and you will put the chances on your side to join the Civil Service.“
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The recruitment stage allows you to check the level in the three administrative languages, knowing that the requirements can vary greatly depending on the careers targeted. For example, for higher careersa grand ducal regulation “establishes that the applicant must reach level C1 for their first language, level B2 for their second language and level B1 for their third language. Level B1, which is an average level but not perfect, is therefore sometimes sufficient! Requirements also vary for middle and lower careers“.
And the career path can also save time. For example, “if the applicant has spent seven years in Luxembourg public education, he is exempt from the language tests“.
Which sectors are “more flexible” with non-trilinguals?
IT is in particular an area where public administration is showing more “flexibility” with languages. “Developers, data analysts, business analysts, organizational experts and project managers are often recruited without fully mastering the three administrative languages. It is often even English that is requested as a priority.
Likewise, in teaching, “high schools which apply an international system hire French-speaking or English-speaking teachers who do not always have a perfect command of German and Luxembourgish.“
Of the exemptions can also be granted has “highly specialized agents who do not have a basis in one or two of the three administrative languages. Their unique skills then justify this exceptional measure.“
Which sectors, conversely, are more demanding with languages?
Within the Luxembourg State, certain positions therefore require absolutely perfect mastery of three languages, including in writing. “Most of the time, these are professions where the agent is in contact with citizens.“. The time when Luxembourgish was a language mainly spoken is well finished: “the competence of editing in Luxembourgish occupies an increasingly preponderant place” warns GovJobs.
But fortunately, the courses and training languages are legion in Luxembourg. Those who want to improve their skills can contact the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP), the National Institute of Languages, or private providers.
A good way to improve is also to participate in “language tandems” at work. “When I arrived at the CGPO, I expressed the desire to improve my Luxembourgish to my colleagues. They invited me to take part in a tandem to improve my skills. I really like the idea, because in addition to the linguistic progress that I can make thanks to this experience, I also have the opportunity to get to know my new colleagues and build relationships with them” says Virginie.
To consult job offers in the public serviceClick here.
To find out more about the control of knowledge of the three administrative languages in the state sectorClick here.
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