How to Be Language Support Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 20, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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When a business does not prioritize language support, it can lead to a variety of negative outcomes. Customers may become frustrated if they do not understand the product information or the website content, leading to lower sales and reduced customer loyalty. when language support is not provided, it can put a strain on customer service teams as they must take time to answer questions that could have been avoided with clear, multilingual resources.

By investing in language support, businesses can increase their reach to global markets, which can open up new opportunities and significantly increase revenue. Furthermore, it can help to build trust and strengthen relationships with customers, leading to a more positive customer experience and increased customer satisfaction.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a Language Support Specialist is to earn a bachelor's degree in a language-related field, such as linguistics, foreign language, or language education. Coursework in these programs includes classes in language structure, grammar, and translation, as well as the development of language skills.
Get Certified. Specialists may consider obtaining certification in language teaching or translation. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) offers certification in language teaching, and the American Translators Association (ATA) offers certification in translation. Requirements for these certifications vary, but generally include a combination of coursework, exams, and work experience.
Gain Work Experience. Language Support Specialists should gain experience working with language learners in an educational or professional setting. This could include teaching English as a second language (ESL) classes, working as a translator or interpreter, or providing language support in schools or businesses.
Obtain a Professional Certification. In some states, Language Support Specialists must obtain a professional certification in order to work in the field. Requirements for certification vary by state, but generally include training courses, field experience, and an exam.
Stay Up-to-Date. Language Support Specialists should stay up-to-date on current trends in the field. This could include attending conferences, taking classes, and reading professional publications.

The ability to be reliable and capable as a language support specialist requires a certain set of skills and qualifications. Having a strong command of the language, both in writing and speaking, is essential. it is important to be knowledgeable about the culture of the language being supported, as well as understanding the nuances of grammar and syntax.

Being able to communicate effectively with a variety of people is also an important factor, as language support specialists are often called upon to help explain and interpret for both native and non-native speakers. Furthermore, having an understanding of software and technology related to language support is beneficial, as it allows for more accurate and efficient support. By possessing these skills and qualifications, language support specialists can become reliable and capable professionals who can provide quality service.

You may want to check Language Quality Assurance Analyst, Language Technologist, and Language Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Translate written and spoken language materials, including documents, presentations, emails, websites, and other materials
Interpret spoken language in meetings, conferences, and other events
Develop and maintain language course materials for corporate and educational clients
Provide language tutoring services to students
Work with software programs and tools to help facilitate language learning
Create and maintain language databases for easy reference
Design and implement language assessment tools
Provide feedback on language proficiency tests
Develop and deliver language training sessions in various formats
Analyze trends in the language learning industry
Monitor language usage for accuracy
Assist with the development of multilingual content libraries

Skills and Competencies to Have

Proficiency in multiple languages
Excellent communication skills
Knowledge of language development and culture
Experience in customer service
Ability to use translation software and tools
Problem-solving skills
High level of accuracy and attention to detail
Interpersonal and collaborative skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of computer applications, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, etc.

Language support specialists must have excellent language skills and knowledge in order to effectively and accurately communicate with others. Having strong communication skills is essential for interpreting and conveying information, as well as understanding the cultural nuances of the language they are working with. language support specialists must have the ability to think critically and analyze complex linguistic problems in order to provide effective solutions.

They must also be able to multitask and prioritize tasks in order to manage their workload efficiently. Having a strong background in linguistics and computer technology is also important for language support specialists, as they must be familiar with the latest technologies and software, as well as have an understanding of different language systems and grammar structures. Finally, language support specialists must be patient, organized, and detail-oriented in order to effectively work with clients and provide quality customer service.

Language Engineer, Language Administrator, and Language Programmer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have providing language support services?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy in translations?
How do you handle difficult conversations with clients who need language support services?
What techniques do you use to stay up-to-date with language trends?
What challenges have you faced when providing language support services?
How do you handle disputes between clients and vendors regarding language nuances?
How do you prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines?
Describe a recent project where you provided language support services and what the outcome was.
What is your experience in working with teams across different cultures and languages?
How do you ensure confidentiality when providing language support services?

Common Tools in Industry

Translation Software. Software used to translate text from one language to another (e. g. Google Translate).
Localization Software. Software used to adapt digital content and applications to different languages and cultures (e. g. Lingoport).
Machine Translation Software. Software that uses artificial intelligence to automatically translate text from one language to another (e. g. Microsoft Translator).
Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software. Software that converts written text into spoken language (e. g. Acapela Group).
Language Learning Software. Software designed to help users learn a new language (e. g. Duolingo).
Terminology Management Software. Software used to store and manage terminology for multiple languages (e. g. TermWeb).
Multilingual Content Management System (CMS). Software used to create, manage, and publish multilingual content (e. g. WPML).
Multilingual Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tools. Tools used to optimize websites for multilingual search engine results (e. g. SEOmoz).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Translators Association (ATA)
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
Association of Language Companies (ALC)
International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI)
International Federation of Translators (FIT)
International Language Industry Association (AILIA)
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Globalization and Localization Association (GALA)
The Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI)

We also have Language Game Designer, Language Psychologist, and Language Graphic Designer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Localization. The process of adapting software or other products to meet the language, cultural, and other requirements of a specific target market.
Internationalization. The process of designing software or other products so that they can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes.
Translation. The conversion of text from one language to another.
Terminology Management. The organization and maintenance of specialized vocabulary in a particular field or industry.
Multilingual Content Management. The process of creating, storing, and managing content in multiple languages.
Natural Language Processing. A field of computer science, artificial intelligence, and linguistics that focuses on teaching machines how to interpret and understand human language.
Machine Translation. The automated translation of a text from one language to another using advanced computer algorithms.
Intercultural Communication. The exchange of ideas and information between individuals or groups from different cultures.
Language Quality Assurance. The process of verifying that translated material meets the required standards of accuracy and readability.
Globalization. The process of designing software, products, and services for a global audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Language Support Specialist? A1: A Language Support Specialist is a professional who provides language services, including interpretation and translation, to organizations, businesses, and individuals. Q2: What are the qualifications required to become a Language Support Specialist? A2: To become a Language Support Specialist, one must have a bachelor's degree in linguistics, interpretation, translation, or a related field, as well as at least two years of experience in the language services field. Q3: What languages does a Language Support Specialist provide services in? A3: A Language Support Specialist can provide language services in any language. However, the most commonly requested languages are Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Arabic. Q4: How much does a Language Support Specialist typically charge for services? A4: The cost of services offered by a Language Support Specialist can vary greatly depending on the type of service requested and the language used. Rates can range from $25 to $75 per hour. Q5: What type of tasks does a Language Support Specialist typically complete? A5: A Language Support Specialist typically provides interpretation and translation services for documents, meetings, phone calls, and other media. They may also provide language training and cultural competency coaching to ensure effective communication between parties.

Web Resources

English Language Specialist - University of Delaware www.english.udel.edu
Educational Specialist in Second Language Instruction - Ace.edu www.ace.edu
Provo Missionary Training Center - Language Curriculum Specialists training-jobs.mtc.byu.edu