There is no set course of preparation you'll need to follow to become an English interpreter — people from a variety of backgrounds can land this job. In general, however, you will need to develop expert knowledge and fluency with English and another language. You may benefit from earning a college degree, but such credentials aren't always necessary. If you do decide to earn a degree, choosing a foreign language as your major or selecting a course of study based on the field in which you want to work as an interpreter may prove helpful. Additionally, you can improve your chances of becoming an interpreter and excelling in this career by studying abroad.
Requirements for becoming an English interpreter vary from employer to employer, but you will typically need fluency in English and another language to work in this field. Often, the superior language command a person needs to excel as an interpreter stems from growing up in a bilingual household. You can, however, study a foreign language over many years in order to become an English interpreter. Many experts recommend beginning your foreign language studies at a young age if you were not raised in a bilingual household.
Educational requirements typically depend on the company for which you will work. Often, large businesses and government agencies have a preference for hiring individuals who have high school diplomas and bachelor's degrees in language-related majors. Smaller companies and individuals may not care as much about your educational background as long as you can demonstrate your skill as an interpreter. Still, earning a college degree might open the doors to additional opportunities.
Besides earning a degree in language, you may alternatively find it beneficial to seek a degree in another field that interests you. Sometimes holding a degree in a field such as business or finance in addition to having fluency in two languages can help you become an English interpreter with a business or finance firm. Likewise, some engineering companies might be more impressed with your job application if you not only have the required language skills, but also hold an engineering degree.
Studying abroad can also help you toward your goal when you want to become an English interpreter. With this type of opportunity, you can gain knowledge of a foreign language from native speakers. You can also learn about the culture of a foreign place and develop the ability to notice changes in tone and body language that can dramatically improve your interpreting skills.
