Career In Foreign Languages

Introduction

Career opportunities in foreign languages has increased manifold in this age of globalization. In present era of liberalization and globalization, learning of foreign languages is an additional boost to an individual. Those who would like to develop career, move forward in life and ready to take job in diverse fields learning of foreign language is essential.The ever increasing business, academic and scientific knowlege sharing, technological and cultural exchange promises a growing need of foreign languages. Those who have an interest in travelling and flair for languages, the career in foreign languages is most suitable for them. The skills in foreign languages viz. French, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Korean are in great demand. 

Scope

Academic qualifications in foreign languages helps in pursuing careers in the areas of tourism, entertainment, research, education, public relations and mass communication, international organizations, embassies, diplomatic services, publishing houses, BPO's etc. Many multinational companies need their reports, transactions and other documents to be translated. The career opportunities are not only available in major foreign languages but now there is increasing demand for the person who are well versed in the languages like Pashpio, Uzbek, Tajiks, Hebrew, Portuguese, etc.

Remuneration

Remuneration in this field depends upon the employer, nature of job, skills and experience. For example, a translator can expect to earn between Rs.150 to 300 per page for Indian languages, Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 for popular foreign languages such as French and German, and upto Rs. 750 per page for Japanese or Arabic. Scale of pay many vary with the kind and the place of work. A foreign language teacher can earn anything from Rs.20000/- p.m to Rs. 600000/- p.m.  A good interpreter can earn amount up to Rs.8000/-per hour.

Eligibility

There are mainly three types of courses in foreign languages viz. Certificate course, Diploma course and Degree course. The eligibility for certificate and degree courses is 10+2. In most of institutes the eligibility for diploma course is the certificate course in that language. To maintain international standard in some languages, proficiency tests are conducted. There are several universities and other institutes offering courses on foreign languages. Bachelor's degree course in foreign language requires completed 10+2 examination in any stream. Integrated Master's course in Foreign Languages is 5 years course the undergraduate or graduate candidates are eligible.

Employabilty Skills

  • Good communication skill.
  • Better social adaptability.
  • Creativity and high intellectual capability.
  • Ability to work hard and readiness to work for long hours.
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn new things.
  • Ability to travel to the longer distances.
  • Willingness to stay away from home for many days or months.

Career test

If you record “Yes” for maximum questions then it indicates that you have potential for perusing career in the field of foreign language.  

  • Do I like to study more about behaviour and traits?
  • Do I have perceptive and probing mind?
  • Do I have excellent communication skills?
  • Do I have physical and emotional expressiveness?
  • Do I have emotional balance?
  • Am  I self-confident?
  • Do I have analysing and interpreting skills?
  • Do I read about latest books and research magazines?
  • Do I have a creative mind and deep thinking?
  • Do I have keen observation?
  • Am I ready to learn and adopt new learning techniques?
  • DoI  have social adaptability?
  • Do I have ability for improvisation, observation and emulation?

Career opportunities

The job prospects ranges from secretarial, executive and public relation assignments to local level translation and interpretation jobs.

  • Translators are employed in industries, publishing houses, research and government organisations (Ministry of External Affairs and embassies) etc.
  • Companies such as HP, Oracle, Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Thomson, GE, Aventis, Moulinex, etc are employing foreign language experts.
  • Travel and tourism sector, hotel industry, exhibitions and fairs, airline offices, export agencies, radio stations, trade organizations employ foreign language experts.  
  • For pursuing a career in teaching, a teacher should be a graduate in that foreign language and must have a teaching degree.
  • Opportunities are available as international tour operators, online content writers, technical translators or decoders, interpreters and translators.

Job options

  • Foreign language teacher: The most common of all the available career options in foreign language is teaching. It may in schools, colleges, universities, private institutes, etc.
  • Interpreters and translators: Interpreters accompany business groups and official delegations on overseas trips. They are also in great demand for technical translation. Translation work can be related to a variety of fields like technical, scientific literary, business, etc.
  • Freelancing: The freelancers get work in translation bureaus, research organisations, international organisations (UNO, FAO, etc), foreign companies, Reserve Bank of India, publishing houses, travel agencies, etc. Expertise in foreign language coupled with other additional qualifications in areas like management, tourism, hospitality industry, airlines, technical field, science, etc. is essential.

Employers

  • International organizations: UNO, WHO, Doctors without Borders, Red Cross, Amnesty International, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, NATO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNCHS, UNIDO, UNEP,WFP, Peace Brigades, Save the children, Action against Hunger, Care, International rescue committee, Peacecorps, etc. requires persons with foreign skills with English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, etc. One can serve as translator, interpreter, volunteer, etc.
  • Business houses: Stenographers, import/export, sales, international law, banking and finance, fashion industry, automobile industry, etc.
  • Publishing houses: Journalist, editors, translator, critics, etc. 
  • Education institutes: School teacher, university/college professor, tutor, study abroad coordinator, etc.
  • Government services: Reserve Bank of India, Ministry of External Affairs and embassies, etc. InterPol, etc. Especially for diplomatic services. 
  • Software industry: Software designer, technical writer, web developer, software consultant, web community manager, technical support, etc.
  • Travel industry: Travel agents, foreign travel advisors, tourist guides, etc. For air hostesses and flight stewards the knowledge of foreign language is essential.
  • Research institutes: The premier research institutes require translators, interpreters, report writers document, etc.
  • International Hotels: These hotels are visited by foreigners so the persons having knowledge of foreign languages are essential for hospitality.

Courses

  • Certificate course in Translation, Institute of Translation Studies, Bangalore.
  • Advance Course in Translation Institute of Translation Studies, Bangalore (Karnataka).
  • Certificate Course in French, Hope International Academy, Chennai, (Tamil Nadu) www.hopeinternational.in
  • Inflight Airhostess Training Institute (IAHTI),New Delhi. www.iahti.com
  • Diploma in French, Bangalore School of Business (BSB), New Delhi. www.bsb.edu.in
  • Certificate course in German, Inflight Airhostess Training Institute (IAHTI), New Delhi www.iahti.com  
  • Jyoti Nivas Pre-university and Degree college, Banaglore (Karnataka) www.jyotinivas.org
  • Foreign language and BPO training, Sristys Aviation Hyderbad www.sristysaviation.com

Important Institutes

Examinations

Examinations are maianly based on foreign language and whether level of learning (Certificate course/Advance certificate course/ diploma course/ degree course/Post graduate degree course. 

Abroad opportunities

Foreign language experts can find jobs in multinational companies outside India. The UNO appoints foreign language experts for six international languages through an entrance examination. The various international organizations hire translators. Trained individuals can find jobs as interpreters in international seminars as well. The persons who are in the field of research, technology and software require the working knowledge or may be specialized knowledge.