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Interpreter

Alternative titles for this job include

Interpreters convert the spoken word from one language into another, either face-to-face or remotely.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become an interpreter

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by a professional body

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

  • interpreting studies
  • languages and interpreting
  • translation and interpreting

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Volunteering

You can find voluntary or paid work through councils or other organisations offering community interpreting services.

A community interpreting qualification will help you get work in the local community. Colleges and some universities have more information on this.

Direct Application

You may be able to get into this job if you have a non-language degree, providing you're fluent in English and a second language.

Other Routes

You can take a Chartered Institute of Linguists course like the Certificate in Bilingual Skills or the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting to help you to get a job in public service interpreting.

More Information

Career tips

To be fluent, you should:

  • be able to communicate quickly, smoothly and accurately
  • know and understand informal speech, slang and regional differences
  • understand the culture of the country or countries where the language is spoken

Professional and industry bodies

You can join an industry association to help with your professional development and to build up your network of contacts. Organisations include:

Further information

You can find out more about training and working as an interpreter from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • foreign language skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In conference interpreting you could:

  • work at national and international conferences, lectures and meetings
  • listen to a speaker through headphones in a soundproof booth
  • interpret speeches at the same time as the speaker and pass on the interpreted version through a mic and headset

In consecutive interpreting you may:

  • work in smaller business meetings with 2 or more people
  • interpret after each sentence or passage of speech

In public service interpreting you could:

  • interpret for people using legal, health and local government services
  • check their understanding after each sentence
  • interpret at short notice for emergency medical or police interviews

Working environment

You could work at a client's business, at a conference centre, in an office, at a police station, in a court, in a prison or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

You could combine interpreting with translating or teaching. You could also move into the management of interpreting services in the public and private sector.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an interpreter right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Level 1 Award in Understanding Community Interpreting

  • Provider: HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 20 September 2021
  • Location: Rochdale

Level 1 Award in Understanding Community Interpreting

  • Provider: MEDWAY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 23 April 2021
  • Location: GILLINGHAM
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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