Learning languages that bridge cultures, build careers

Despite the disruption of normal life caused by Covid-19, the world is more connected than ever before. With people continuing to move between countries, there is an increasing need for people who can help bridge linguistic gaps. And this is where foreign language experts come in.

Poorna Venkatesan understood this early in her career. A Master’s graduate in Computer Technology, Poorna was working with a Switzerland based-client at Cognizant Technologies when she realised that learning German could help her in collaborating with the team. However, she only got down to it two years later, after she had quit the job.

“I took up German as a hobby but grew to like it, because learning a new language was like decoding something. I completed all levels till C1 in Goethe Institute without thinking of it as a career. I began teaching a few private classes, while also looking for opportunities in translation or interpretation. That’s when a freelance opportunity to teach at Mercedes Benz came my way,” she says.

Today, apart from teaching Business German at Mercedes Benz, Poorna also teaches regular German to non-German employees of Accenture living in Germany.

Learning an additional language is a critical skill that can boost career prospects, whether one is a student or a working professional. Today, German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese are among the most sought after foreign languages, with several institutions offering certificate courses in them.

In India, as elsewhere, all European languages are taught under a common framework spread over six levels, spanning from A1 to C2. Level A1 teaches you to handle everyday, basic conversations and situations. Levels B1 to C1 deal with more complex topics, like environment or politics. In C2, students are taught the literature of that language, and the level is mostly attempted by those looking to do a Masters in foreign language literature, comparative literature or translation studies.

According to Poorna, a B1 intermediate level certificate is adequate for entry-level jobs or for admissions into any German, Swiss or Austria-based universities.

But to be fully proficient in a language, students have to clear the C1 level and it takes roughly 2.5 to 3 years to complete all levels without break. For those looking to go beyond simply learning the language and make a career out of it, a teachers’ training, translation or interpretation course after C1 can work wonders.

Learning while teaching

Poorna realised her love for teaching during the rigorous two-month business training programme at Mercedes Benz and proceeded to do a Teachers Training Course (TTC) at Goethe. “I found teaching interesting because I was meeting new people all the time. I had to come up with new activities and games and think about how to present it to students,” Poorna says.

She chose to work as a freelancer because of the work-life balance it offered. “A freelance language expert's life is very flexible, but if you don't end up getting good projects, you won’t have any regular income,” she warns.

However, one way to ensure you have steady work coming is to learn multiple foreign languages. But planning is crucial, says Poorna.

“Without a doubt, knowing multiple languages is critical to surviving in this field. But only once you're confident and proficient in one language should you go for the other, even if that means investing four or five years. I’m hoping to learn another language myself - maybe Japanese or French,” she adds.

If freelancing is not for you, corporates do offer full-time opportunities as a language expert or translator.

Depending on the level of proficiency, the scope for a foreign language expert is tremendous and includes teaching (basic as well business/technical jargon), academics, translation (catalogues, documents, literary texts, children’s books), travel companies (as guides, customer care personnel), consultation (planning curriculum for schools or colleges).

Foreign language experts are also hired as translators, interpreters and mediators by embassies to ensure smooth communication between leaders and diplomats of two countries. MNCs follow this process as well, usually when they have to present a project or explain a product to the foreign team.

There can also be a lot of travel involved. With more experience, one can also teach, translate and interpret parallelly without needing a certificate.

Language learning is not merely a means to attract work opportunities but a key interpersonal and life skill, believes Poorna.

“It is said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.’ If I’m doing business with someone, there is greater trust and emotional connection when I am able to speak their language. It is not just learning about grammar rules but also the culture and way of life of a people.”

(Mapping Niches is a fortnightly series that sheds light on careers that are off the beaten track, through the eyes of professionals working in a particular field)