Using your language skills : Further study

If you already have strong language skills, you may be interested in some further specialist language training that will open up more opportunities. You do not necessarily need to have studied languages at undergraduate level in order to take a course in translating or interpreting. You might have graduated in another subject but have a sound knowledge of at least one other language, as well as specialist knowledge from your degree in a subject such as law, engineering, science, technology, business/finance or medicine.

Various postgraduate courses in translating and interpreting are available. If you are looking at Masters courses, do some careful research to see how practical these courses are - some focus on translation theory, rather than practical training. Accreditation of courses may also be important for finding employment. For example, you need to complete an accredited course in conference interpreting to gain employment as an interpreter within the European Union (EU).

Most courses are full time and last one year, and as with other postgraduate courses, you may find that you will have to fund yourself. Some institutions offer a shorter, more flexible diploma course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (IoL), which can be followed part time, while you are working. A complete list of courses is available from the IoL.

See Translator and Interpreter and about postgrad study for more detailed information.

You may wish to consider translating and interpreting as a combined career and many freelancers do both. However, it is worth noting that translating and interpreting need different skills:

Translators usually work alone and often have a specialist subject. They must have:

• the ability to work independently;
• good organisational skills for keeping to deadlines;
• commitment to accuracy.

Interpreters work with other people and need to be capable of intense concentration. Interpreters need:

excellent interpersonal skills;

• tact, sensitivity and diplomacy;
• the ability to think calmly under pressure;
• willingness to work in a range of settings.

Local colleges and adult education colleges run many different language courses, including introductory and business language courses. You can get information on courses available from the IoL and The National Centre for Languages (CILT).

It is not always essential to take a course in order to enter specialist language careers, but it certainly helps and even when a qualification is not a prerequisite, it may secure a higher rate of pay.