A knowledge of one or more foreign languages can be useful in a wide range of careers. For some jobs, such as translating, interpreting and language teaching, language skills are one of the main requirements. For other jobs a combination of languages and other qualifications, knowledge or skills may be needed. For example, people with languages plus IT, law, finance or sales skills are much sought-after.

Specialist language occupations

These include working as a translator, interpreter, language teacher or linguist. For the former three you’ll need an in-depth knowledge of one or more foreign languages. Linguists don’t necessarily need to speak foreign languages, but such knowledge can be useful for them.

Though the terms interpreting/interpretation and translating/translation are often used interchangeably, these professions are different. There are many differences between the training, skills, and talents needed for each. Read more.

See: Omniglot