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A degree in a world language shows employers that a person is capable of seeing and thinking about the world on a broader scale. Intercultural competence is sought after by employers in the globalized economy, whether the job description includes a world language requirement or not. A person who has learned a second language has valuable insights and experience that enables them to interact effectively in multicultural contexts in a variety of workplace situations. Competent language learners are able to use their cultural competence to interact with confidence in multicultural professional contexts internally and externally. They are able to connect with other disciplines to exchange information and perspectives and to participate effectively in multilingual communities.

 

Earning a degree in a world language is particularly valuable if you plan to pursue a career in international affairs, politics, linguistics, world language education, translation and interpretation, hospitality and tourism, enlist in the Armed Forces, and much more.

The CTE Employability Skills Framework, developed by the U.S. Department of Education, identifies three areas of general, cross-cutting abilities for the workplace: applied knowledge, effective relationships, and workplace skills. Below is a list of skills as applied to world language studies.

Applied knowledge

• Critical thinking skills
• Thinks critically
• Thinks creatively
• Solves problems
• Plans and organizes

When taking a CU language course, you will be given many tasks that challenge you to think critically and creatively in a world language. You may for example be asked to research and create a poster on recycling strategies or a national sports event, or in more advanced courses, to read and reflect on a chapter in a novel. Learning independently outside of class will develop your ability to plan and organize your studies.

• Applied academic skills
• Interpretive and presentational world language skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking)
• Interpersonal communication skills (interacting in the language) Strategies and procedures for interpreting and translating

CU language courses will develop your interpretive and presentational communication skills, as you practice reading and listening, writing and speaking, as well as the interpersonal skills you will use to communicate freely and spontaneously in conversation.

Effective relationships

Personal

• Discipline and responsibility
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Independent work
• Willingness to learn
• Positive attitude and self-worth

Interpersonal

• Understands teamwork and works well with others
• Respects individual differences

The cross-cultural skills acquired in language courses include cultural knowledge about the countries or regions where the language is spoken, but also soft skills such as maintaining effective communication and flexibility to negotiate cultural differences.

Workplace skills

Communication skills

• Listens actively
• Communicates verbally
• Comprehends written and verbal communication

Information use

• Locates and organizes information
• Analyzes information
• Communicates information

Resource management

• Manages time and resources

Language studies provide good practice in active listening, making sense of communication in situations where not every word is understood, negotiating meaning with limited vocabulary, and making sure information is not miscommunicated because of language issues, which are all generalizable to good communication skills. Making good progress in language development relies on the successful management of the time and resources available.

World language experience can be helpful in seeking employment to demonstrate valuable intercultural communication skills. Major global employers in the U.S. are looking for people with specific language skills, for example in Mandarin, Arabic, French, or German. Global businesses with U.S. branches seek people with experience in the Nordic, Russian or African languages, or languages spoken in other target markets.

Specific languages can be particularly useful to certain career paths. If you are a part of ROTC or wish to pursue a career in the U.S. Government, learning critical languages such as Arabic or Russian can be beneficial to your career goals, while choosing the languages of any other region of the world may set your CV apart. Learning other languages that are commonly spoken in the U.S., such as Spanish, can increase your job prospects within the country. Overall, there are many different career paths to consider when deciding which world language is right for you.

A minor in a world language is a great option for students who are not pursuing a major that requires a world language but want a minor to complement their field of studies. Students who wish to complete a minor in a world language should expect to complete a few 3000-level courses in that language, depending on the department’s requirements.

Earning a degree in a world language has led to numerous job opportunities for CU graduates, even some that you may not have thought of before. Here are some of the many careers that world language graduates have pursued.

• CIA/FBI/NSA agents
• ESL instructors
• K-12 teachers
• Higher education instructors
• Translators
• Interpreters
• Business careers
• Administration
• Armed Forces
• Diplomacy
• IT technology
• Engineering
• Software development
• Musicology research
• PR and marketing
• Hospitality industry
• Journalism

Global businesses use language management strategies to help them address linguistic and cultural challenges that occur in their foreign markets. Companies need employees with linguistic and cultural competence, who can help develop and implement these language management strategies. Employees with a multicultural background or world language experience may for example be involved in:

• Development of legal, business, and technical content
• Development of websites in their market languages
• Meeting interpretation and translation
• Development of PR material, such as press releases
• Development of sales material, such as sales brochures and technical specifications
• Employee language training for employees who will interact with foreign markets
• Product and packaging adoption to new markets Sales and marketing

The simplest way to describe your language skills to an employer is to use one of the commonly used language proficiency scales that provide clear descriptors of each proficiency level. Providing your current language proficiency level is a concise way of explaining your language skills on a cv/resumé.

For American employers, use the ACTFL Proficiency Scale (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior, Distinguished). For global employers, you will need to do some research to find out whether they prefer the ACTFL proficiency scale (Novice/Intermediate/Advanced/Superior) or another scale. In Europe, scales based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) are commonly used (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).

For government translation and interpreter positions, the ILR Scales are used to assess applicants. Another way to describe your language proficiency to an employer is to use Can-Do statements. Can-Do statements provide examples of what world language learners have learned to do at each proficiency level. Can-Do statements can help employers know what you are capable of doing in the workplace, whether this is basic translation and interpretation, holding an in-depth conversation, or giving presentations and talks in another language.

Learn more:

Language proficiency in the workplace
ACTFL World-Readiness Standards

CU Career Services offer many tools that CU students, graduates, and alumni can use to help find careers in their area of study. Handshake is a job board accessible through CU Career Services to all CU Boulder Students and Alumni. This career tool helps you to find positions within your major. You can also search for jobs by a specific skill set, courses you have taken, or student organizations you have been involved in.