Now you’re talking my language!

The ability to speak a foreign language is becoming an increasingly sought after skill by employers – and is something that could open many doors in the future. CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is urging careers advisers to help get this crucial message across to young people at an important stage of their lives.

The obvious choice for language graduates is to go into translation or interpreting. Outside of specialist language careers, though, there are a whole host of industries in which foreign languages are a distinct advantage: journalism, travel and tourism, hospitality, engineering, marketing – to name a few. A recent survey indicated that 74% of employers look to recruit people with language skills. So, even if students don’t study languages as a degree, they’d be doing themselves a huge favour if they could at least get some conversational skills under their belt (and on their CV).

Where can careers advisers get more information? Well, CILT is currently updating its Languages Work website so that it has a special area dedicated to careers advisers with information on what qualifications you need to get into certain careers, which careers require languages, how prospects can be increased with languages – along with lots of practical information for students. It will also have plenty of free resources to download. The site is due to be launched in January 2010. Email Languages Work to be kept up to date with developments regarding the site, or to give CILT your thoughts on what should be included.