Work with Languages
A variety of jobs need you to be able to communicate in one or more foreign
languages. The obvious examples are the jobs of translator and interpreter, but
there are many more. Some jobs need you to be completely fluent while, for
others, it's enough to be able to hold a basic conversation. Entry requirements
vary from GCSEs to postgraduate qualifications.
As tourists, and even in business, we often rely on people from other countries
communicating with us in English! However, developing our foreign language skills
can benefit us as individuals, as well as helping the UK conduct trade with the rest
of the world. If you are looking to improve your employment opportunities, a
knowledge of foreign languages can help in a variety of ways.
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Being good at languages helps you develop your communication skills in general,
and, if you have spent time studying abroad, you will also have gained
independence, flexibility and organisational skills - all qualities that employers
value.
With appropriate language skills, you can widen your search for work across
Europe. As a UK citizen you have the right to work in any of the member
states of the European Economic Area (EEA) and many qualifications gained in
the UK are recognised by European employers. For example, qualifications in
accountancy, engineering, teaching, nursing, construction trades and so on, are
likely to be recognised.
Many UK companies have commercial links with Europe and beyond, and many
multinational firms have bases in Britain. So as the workplace becomes more
global, more people can expect to travel abroad as part of their job and the
ability to speak another language would be most advantageous.
People who can communicate in languages such as Russian, Japanese, Mandarin
and Arabic are needed as well as European languages.
Languages skills often enhance other skills such as secretarial, administrative or
customer services, or professional and technical skills such as marketing,
journalism or engineering. There are many areas of work in which languages can
be a real asset.
Just under half of modern language graduates go directly into employment in the
UK after graduating. Many enter business-related work - management, finance,
marketing, sales, retailing, administrative and clerical work and so on. Language
graduates compete very successfully for the many jobs that are open to graduates
of any discipline. Around 9% of language graduates opt to work abroad. Most of
those who do not enter work directly go on to further studies, including into
teacher training and postgraduate training for translating or interpreting work.
Some of the main career opportunities that require language skills are described
below.
Linguists
These are jobs where the main ability needed is that of speaking or writing a
language fluently. However, even where languages play a major role in a career,
it's helpful to have other skills and experience as well.
Interpreters and translators
Translators deal with the written word and translate a wide variety of material often with a technical content. Interpreters provide spoken translations and can
work in a variety of settings, e.g. conferences, courts, the community or in
business.
This is demanding work that requires a good understanding of the culture,
institutions, customs and attitudes of the country whose language you are working
with. Don't forget that you must also have an excellent command of English to be
able to capture the 'spirit' behind the words you are translating.
The European Commission runs one of the world's largest translation services.
There are also some permanent posts in large companies and international bodies,
such as the United Nations. However, most work is on a freelance basis, either
directly with an employer or through an agency. It's predicted that there will be
a shortage of interpreters in the next few years, as many working in this area are
nearing retirement age.
All translators and interpreters must be fluent in at least one foreign language (or
in at least two EU languages besides their mother tongue, for work with the
European Commission). Speakers of the many ethnic community languages used in
the UK are employed to interpret in law courts, health and education services etc.
Relevant postgraduate qualifications are normally required to work as a translator
or interpreter. For more information, see leaflet K 13 in this series.
Teachers
Teaching in schools, colleges, universities or specialist language colleges is the
most likely way of really using your languages. Good language teachers must be
enthusiastic and creative. See leaflet F 06 in this series for an introduction to the
work and training.
Using languages
Here are some ideas of jobs offering opportunities for using languages. They
certainly aren't the only ones.
Public sector
Staff with language skills are recruited by a few government departments and
agencies, including the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Government
Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Security Service (MI5). There are
occasional vacancies in the Ministry of Defence and other departments. Language
skills are an asset in the UK Border Agency and HM Revenue & Customs. The more
specialist jobs are for graduates, but there are administrative posts with lower
entry requirements. EU institutions also employ graduates and others with language
skills.
Language skills are useful in other areas of the public sector, including in the
police, the NHS and even in Citizens Advice Bureaux, where community languages
may be utilised.
Librarianship and information science
Industrial and other specialist libraries, as well as public and university libraries,
maintain collections of foreign books and journals. Librarians and information
specialists may need to use materials produced in other languages.
Travel and tourism
The tourism industry offers many career opportunities in this country and abroad
- cabin crew on planes, ships etc, ground jobs in airports, resort reps for British
holidaymakers abroad, tour operators who check out holiday facilities, and guides
or couriers who assist foreign visitors to Britain. The holiday season has become
extended, with autumn, spring and winter breaks. However, opportunities for reps,
guides and couriers are usually limited to the summer season and permanent jobs
may be rare.
There are opportunities in travel and tourism to use all kinds of foreign languages,
though the more common European ones (French, German, Spanish and Italian) may
give the most scope. The 2012 Olympics in the UK is expected to create a demand
for employees with language skills - with visitors and athletes arriving from all
over the world.
Hospitality and catering
With the many foreign visitors to the UK each year, an aptitude for foreign
languages is useful to anyone looking for a job in catering, hotel management or
hotel reception work. There's also a lot of scope for workers at all levels to widen
their experience by working abroad.
Media
Language skills can be very useful, if not vital, for news reporters or journalists
working abroad. There are also opportunities for those working with multimedia,
such as providing subtitles or dubbing to videos, or for translating websites for a
global audience.
Law, insurance, accountancy etc
Membership of the EU and the expansion of international trade have opened up
new specialisms for accountants, lawyers, insurance professionals etc, who
specialise in the complex world of international law and finance.
Industry and commerce
As a trading nation, we import and export a wide range of goods. Language skills
are valued in industry and commerce for building up overseas contacts and trade.
Graduate engineers, scientists and technologists, as well as non-technical people,
such as secretaries, may need languages to carry out their work in an international
setting or with foreign partners. Foreign language skills are also important in
patent work - applying for and granting patents to new inventions or intellectual
property. There are business studies courses at various levels that offer language
studies as part of the course, and degree courses in engineering and related
subjects that include the study of foreign languages.
Trainers and specialist recruiters may also be employed by firms who need to
develop the foreign language skills of their staff, or assess the language abilities
of applicants.
Learning languages
Some European languages are widely taught to GCSE and A level in schools and
colleges. French is the most commonly available language, but you may also get the
chance to learn Spanish, German or Italian, or even something more unusual.
Many people learn French, German and Spanish to quite a high standard. A less
common, or less commonly taught, language can be equally valuable - or more so,
because of its rarity value. You could think about following a course in another
European language, such as Greek or Hungarian. Russian, Japanese or a Middle
Eastern language may also be useful. Another option would be to study a
community language, such as Somali or Urdu; if you already speak another language
at home you will have a distinct advantage!
You can learn a language through a course (perhaps during the evenings) at a
further education college or independent language school. Open learning packages
with CDs or online support are also available. Such courses can lead to GCSE, A
level or Chartered Institute of Linguists exams (in a wide range of languages).
There are courses that specialise in languages for business purposes.
There are now all kinds of ways you can practise your language skills on the
internet as well, including social networking sites that are dedicated to language
learning!
Higher education
A degree course in a language generally lasts four years. One year is spent abroad
to help you improve your language skills - as an assistant in a school, working in an
industrial or commercial firm, or attending a foreign university.
There is a huge choice of language degree courses, and you can start many
languages from scratch. All the less common languages are offered on this basis,
and it is sometimes possible to take some of the more popular languages, such as
Spanish, from scratch.
At degree level, you can choose to:
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study a single language - such as Chinese or German
take a joint or combined course with two or more languages of equal status degrees with 'and' in the title generally indicate this, e.g. French and Russian,
or Japanese and Spanish
take two languages in a major/minor combination - degrees that have 'with' in
the title often mean a two thirds/one third split, e.g. Italian with Polish.
As well as improving your language abilities, most degree courses will also allow you
to study the literature, society, history, culture or politics of the country.
Research courses carefully to find out what is on offer.
Alternatively, there are degree courses that include a language as an integral part
of the course:
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courses focusing on a particular geographical region or country, e.g. African
studies
vocational courses, e.g. degrees in business with French, or aerospace
engineering with German. Some courses, such as certain leisure and tourism
degrees, also offer a language as a component, although this is not always
obvious from the title.
You can combine a language with almost any other subject - academic or vocational
- from French with events management, to Spanish and chemistry. When
researching such courses, it's a good idea to check how well integrated the
courses are, and even how far apart, geographically, the university departments
are based!
Finally, even if you choose not to study a language as part of your degree, many
universities offer language-learning facilities to all students.
Linguistics is a related degree subject; you study the structure and history of
language (how it has changed over time, regional variations in the meanings of
language etc). Many courses include learning about language abilities and how they
are developed. Some courses allow students to study the structure and history of
foreign languages, but many courses are concerned with the English language.
Postgraduate courses
Language graduates may go on to postgraduate study related to their language,
such as translating and interpreting, or teacher training. Or, they could consider
unrelated courses that could provide them with additional skills in business
management, information etc.
Welsh speakers
In Wales, there has been a large increase in demand for Welsh speakers across
the workforce in recent years. Welsh language skills can improve your chances of
getting some jobs and are essential for others. Employers need staff with bilingual
skills in order to provide services in their customers' preferred language and to
improve their standing within the local community. Jobs where Welsh language
skills are most in demand include those in business, the media, healthcare and
social services, education and other public services.
There is a range of full- and part-time courses available to help you learn or
improve your Welsh language skills. If you are already a Welsh speaker, there are
also opportunities to study or train through the medium of Welsh. Contact colleges
or training providers directly for further information.
Adults: Language skills gained during your career or outside work, fluency in a
community language, or time spent overseas can all be an advantage when looking
for work with languages.