Are you fluent in another language?
I dont mean I spent a semester abroad in Italy fluent.
Or Ive spent the pandemic building up an impressive Duolingo streak fluent.
Its something thats often born of intense study and requires extensive exposure to native speakers.
Fluency is not something easily achieved.
But if you have it in your toolbox, there are plenty of ways to monetize it.
you might even make money using your foreign language skills remotely during the pandemic.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Interpreting involves more than fluency.
In addition to language skills, youll need to be familiar with cultural norms in both languages.
Then, youll need to mediate between those cultural norms in your interpretation.
Remote interpreting has become prolific during the pandemic.
Interpreters can make a decent living, depending on the regional demand for your second language.
Interpreters often work as independent contractors through an agency.
This is great if interpreting is your side hustle.
It allows you to pick up jobs that fit your schedule.
Plus, work availability can ebb and flow.
Though your per-hour pay may be a little lower than freelance rates.
What certifications do it’s crucial that you become an interpreter?
Many of the standards for interpreters are set at the state level.
Check your states standards for the language and sector in which you want to work.
Certain sectors require special certification in addition to whats required by your state.
Interpreters for the Deaf have to meet separate certification standards.
Those who work in the educational setting will want to take the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA).
Translating
When you translate, you dont work with live people.
Instead, youre working with texts.
Its important to note that reading another language at the word-for-word level isnt enough to become a translator.
you’re gonna wanna be able to take things a step further.
How much can you make as a translator?
Your location and experience level will affect your earning potential.
So will the language you speak.
Generally speaking, a professional can translate 400-600 words per hour.
However, if you have experience or multiple certifications, you could earn $38+ per hour.
it’s possible for you to check going rates for professional-level translation assignments by languagehere.
What certifications do you oughta become a translator?
The more letters after your name, the more it’s possible for you to get paid.
You earn those letters through certifications.
Another certification option is going throughALTA Language Services.
ALTA also provides testing services for interpreters in niche options.
But youll find that one of the languages with the highest demand for tutors is English itself.
When youre tutoring a student in English, ideally youll speak their native language, too.
This allows you to break down and explain complex differences between the two languages to your student.
This ideal is not a requirement, though.
Many American-based English tutors speak only one language: English.
How much can you make as a foreign language tutor?
There are manyonline platformsthat allow you to work remotely as a language tutor.
These platforms can pay anywhere from $15 to $80 per hour.
The more experience you have, the higher your pay.
In non-pandemic times,teaching English abroadis also a way to travel on someone elses dime.
Higher-paying gigs go to those with the most experience and credentials.
For many, the pay isnt the incentive, though.
The draw is living abroad.
In some countries, teaching English is one of the easiest ways to gain a long-term visa.
Some programs include housing in addition to monthly pay.
What certifications do you need as a tutor?
In reality, youll probably be able to skate by as a tutor without certifications.
And youll probably be able to earn in excess of $20 per hour.
Another way to secure those higher paying jobs is through traditional, post-secondary education.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
