Foreign Language

In this era of burgeoning globalisation, learning a language is an added skill of great importance. A number of industries would have great difficulties in functioning without translators and interpreters acting as in interface.

Knowledge of a foreign language gives you that much needed competitive advantage. It also helps us have an insight into different cultures and enhances our worldview. All in all, it’s really beneficial to learn a new language.

Foreign language courses  

There are so many formal and informal ways of learning a new language. 

Informal pathways, of course, include YouTube channels, books and several websites online learning websites (like Udemy, Edx etc) and apps (like Duolingo etc) available. 

For formal learning, universities and colleges offer a Diploma, Bachelors, Masters degree or a Certificate Course . There are also some institutes of the particular country which offers these courses. Some examples include the Goethe-Institute for German, Alliance Francaise for French, the Instituto Cervantes for Spanish etc. Apart from these there are multiple private institutions offering courses in a number of languages.

A Bachelors in a foreign language includes learning about the politics, history, culture, literature and basic geography of that country. B.A. Honours can be pursued from any university offering that course. 

After pursuing graduation, the candidate will be eligible to work as a translator or interpreter in MNCs, travel and tourism agencies, entertainment industry etc through campus placements or other job openings. For those interested in pursuing freelance opportunities, an account at LinkedIn, Freelancer, Fiverr, or similar sites that offer gig, contract jobs or internships.

For graduates interested in exploring the literature and culture of the language, a good option is to pursue a Masters course. It includes the study and analysis of the classic and contemporary literature of that country, about famous writers and poets. After pursuing a Master's in a foreign language you will be considered as a language expert in that particular language and you will be given more preference to work as an interpreter and language analyst. 

 You will be eligible to teach as an assistant professor in Colleges, University and as a teacher in schools or institutes which offer that language. You can work as a translator of literary text or novels or classics which you can do with a Bachelor’s degree in your hand. For this kind of translation work, government officials usually reach out to universities offering these courses. So on completion of the course, you may apply to these posts. 

You can also go for research after that or higher studies which include M. Phil or PhD. On completion of his course, you will be considered as an Expert, Scholar or Sinologist.

Promising Careers in Foreign Languages

A few promising careers in this field include:

• Interpreters and Translators – The most popular options obviously for someone trained in a foreign language. Also presents an opportunity for travelling abroad, and being a part of another culture. Translators and interpreters also have the option to work as freelancers and gig workers. With the world turning into a global village, these roles have become immensely important especially in the world of business, foreign services, education, tourism and entertainment.  Apart from these, an important field of recruitment for these professionals is for security and intelligence agencies.

• Foreign Language and Literature Teachers – Educators teaching courses in languages apart from the ones used in a country. The role includes those involved in research as well. 

• Speech-Language Pathologists – Also known as Speech Therapists or Speech Specialists, these individuals help assess speech, voice and language difficulties and disorders and provide treatments. 

• Instructional Coordinators - Develop and coordinate educational content and instructional material and provide guidelines for conducting courses. 

Some other careers where the knowledge of an additional language can prove to be of great importance.

• Anthropologists and Archaeologists

• Anthropology and Archaeology Teachers

• Customs and Border Protection Officers

• Flight Attendants

• Chefs and Head Cooks