Foreign language: Next hot job skill

MANILA, Philippines - Translators are now in demand here and abroad, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said yesterday.

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said numerous jobs are available for graduates of foreign language and culture such as translators, interpreters and call center agents.

“It is fast emerging to be the next hot job,” Villanueva said.

He said the ability to speak another language is an advantage in the global market.

Villanueva said one competitive advantage that the country’s technical-vocational (tech-voc) graduates can have is their willingness to learn languages other than their own. 

 â€œIn their curriculum vitae, the declaration that one is a graduate with a foreign language will have employers taking a second look,” he added.

At present, 35 TESDA Language Skills Institute centers are spread all over the country offering six courses on language and culture: Basic English Language; Basic Japanese Language and Culture, Basic Korean Language and Culture; Basic Mandarin Language and Culture; Basic Arabic Language and Saudi/Gulf Culture, and Basic Spanish Language for Different Vocations.

All courses require 100 hours of completion, except for basis Japanese language, which should be completed in 150 hours.

A tech-voc graduate adept with the language and culture of his foreign employer can easily communicate and relate to their needs, Villanueva said.