What are languages?

There are approximately 6,500 modern languages spoken in the world today; from the most popular languages like Mandarin, Spanish and English to little-spoken languages like Welsh and obscure languages like Satawalese. There are also dead languages like Latin, Sumerian and Coptic. With a wide range of language courses to choose from in the United Kingdom, you have the opportunity of embarking on any one of a number of related careers once you have earned a qualification.

Areas in Languages

There are language courses available at all levels of the UK’s education system. You could begin with a GCSE and eventually end up doing a degree or a PhD. You could start by learning one modern language, such as French, German or Russian. You could then move on to higher levels of learning for your one chosen language or you could progress to learning multiple languages. If you study at degree level, there are a variety of courses in Language Studies that combine two languages, such as French and Spanish or English and German. You also have the option of learning languages that are no longer in use, like Latin.

Why study a languages course?

If you want to work in a career that involves speaking more than one language, you’ll obviously need to have learnt another language before you can pursue a languages-related career. The higher your level of education, the more career options you’ll have after graduating. Also, the more languages you can speak, the more employment opportunities you will have. Learning another language opens up opportunities to work abroad too. You don’t necessarily have to get a career in languages once you have completed a course of study. By being able to speak modern languages like Portuguese, Arabic or Japanese, you can travel to countries where those languages are spoken and get a career in any industry.

Career Outcomes from a Languages Course

The most popular careers directly associated with having a qualification from a languages course are translation, interpretation and teaching.

Translation

As a translator, you would convert written material from one or more language into another language and make sure the translation conveys the same meaning as the original. You can increase your chances of gaining employment as a translator by completing a degree course in subjects like Translation Studies with Languages and Modern European Languages.

Interpretation

Working as an interpreter involves converting spoken language from one language to another. The role can also involve interpreting sign language into a spoken language. Most interpreters translate in only one direction but the role can involve interpreting on a two-way basis as well. Interpreters work in a variety of functions, such as conferences, criminal justice proceedings, community-based events and product launches.

Teaching

You could work at one of many levels of education as a language teacher. You could work for a secondary school, a college, a university or a private course provider. You could teach one or more foreign languages or you could teach English. Another option is to teach English as a foreign language.