Today’s Britain faces many of the same challenges it has historically faced, in particular, global communication. Perhaps hundreds of years ago, foreign dignitaries traveled to and from the UK with their own translators, but the volume of business done today makes that an expensive proposition. Today, it is not just government representatives or dignitaries who must communicate with people from another country. Average citizens and businessmen travel all over the world, and the need for interpreters stronger than ever.

Interpreters in Schools

As people relocate to foreign countries, they may expect a stay of just a few weeks or several months. In these cases, their children may face problems in school without proper communication. Parents may even have trouble getting their children enrolled in school due to language difficulties. This makes the role of an interpreter even more crucial. An interpreter can ease your children’s transitions into schools in a new country, and help them get a good start with their education. Many schools employ translators who speak multiple languages, or at least the language of the majority of immigrants. This is a great employment opportunity for those with bilingual skills.

Interpreters in Courts

Courts and police stations are also in great need of interpreters. Simple misunderstandings or traffic violations can suddenly become disproportionately skewed without proper translation. That’s one of the reasons many courts and police stations employ bilingual clerks. However, ever more prominent are those hired specifically for translation. This expedites many negotiations, processes, and legal proceedings, not only for traffic court but for property leasing or purchase, vehicle registration or purchase, and for insurance purposes.

Interpreters in Medical Concerns

Qualified interpreters and translation can make a big difference when you get sick. Whether you are in a foreign country, or are a health care provider in the UK, you need access to someone who can speak the language of the patient. Medical information is not often translated clearly through automated means, and even if you have written information, you may not be able to understand it. Interpreters who can translate medical descriptions and converse with patients and doctors are needed desperately in the medical field. This one-on-one conversation is necessary for proper diagnoses and treatment, and can mean the difference between immediate and effective medical care and terrible mistakes.

Many places in Europe are looking for English interpreters, and many places in the UK are looking, as well. There is a shortage, right now, of interpreters. This puts a strain on legal, medical, and educational facilities that must render services to the foreigner, but it also puts a hardship on the foreigner who must communicate with officials and medical personnel who don’t understand him or her.

Usually, a conversational familiarity with a second language is all that is necessary for an interpreter. This allows the interpreter to communicate on your behalf or on behalf of the facility. However, in some cases, specialized training is necessary for advanced vocabulary or terminology.

This is a great job opportunity for anyone with bilingual skills.