1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Bilingual secretary

Bilingual secretary

Alternative titles for this job include Bilingual executive assistant

Bilingual secretaries provide administrative services in English and one or more foreign languages.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a bilingual secretary

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

It could help you if you have a degree in modern languages or languages combined with business studies, although this is not essential.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

Completing a recognised qualification in administration or office skills may help you to get a job. Colleges offer a wide range of full-time and part-time courses.

Relevant subjects include:

  • business administration
  • computer skills
  • digital skills
  • shorthand
  • word processing
  • T Level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a business administrator advanced apprenticeship and combine it with your language skills to find work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply to companies directly if you have some of the relevant skills and knowledge required for this role.

You'll need at least one A level or equivalent in your second language unless it's your native tongue, or you became fluent by living abroad.

Employers may also expect you to have GCSEs or relevant office skills and experience.

More Information

Career tips

Most businesses look for bilingual secretaries who can speak a European language like French, German, Spanish or Italian.

Other languages like Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic are also growing in demand.

You can develop your IT and administration skills by doing a free online course through The Skills Toolkit.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Institute of Linguists for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can get more advice about working and training in languages through the Chartered Institute of Linguists.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • active listening skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of English language
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day to day duties, you could:

  • translate documents and letters
  • write letters, emails and reports in a foreign language
  • translate or summarise articles from foreign journals
  • speak in a foreign language on the phone or in person
  • interpret at meetings

For general administrative duties, you could:

  • act as a personal assistant (PA) to a manager
  • organise meetings, make appointments and keep a diary
  • arrange travel and accommodation for business trips
  • do filing, typing and photocopying
  • update computer databases

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could be promoted to personal assistant or office manager.

You could move into translating or interpreting, or international business, sales or marketing.

You could move into a specialised bilingual role like bilingual legal secretary or bilingual medical secretary.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administrator Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £9,379.50 to £18,525.00 Annually
  • Location: DRUM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CHESTER LE STREET, DURHAM

Vetting Administration Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Moulton Park
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Business Administration

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Hull

Certificate in Business Administration (Administration & IT) - Adult

  • Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 March 2024
  • Location: Bridgwater
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.