Maybe you have just left university with a languages degree and are thinking through your options or perhaps you are a native speaker of Spanish, Italian, Portuguese etc and want to use your language skills in the UK? Here is some advice from the experience that I have accumulated over the years since I left university in 2007.
Firstly, if you are planning to teach as a Spanish tutor, it may be worth considering further training to help you teach better. You can, of course, do a PGCE to teach in schools or a Diploma in Education and Training (DET) to teach in further education. However, there are other courses you can do as well. I recommend Tía Tula Spanish school in Salamanca, Spain as they do teacher training, translation and interpreting courses for Spanish (for more information, email me here). The school is excellent and very good value for money.
Secondly, if you are planning on starting a career in translation, I would also recommend further training . You can do a Master’s in translation from home with the Open University, Bristol University, Birmingham University or the University of Portsmouth. You might also want to consider the courses that Atlas Translations offer for translators.
Thirdly, you may want to consider adding a CELTA certificate to your skills as there is so much work around for trained English teachers and this is again something you can do from home. I would say that doing a CELTA is 100% worth the money as it opens so many doors both at home and around the world. I have taught in language schools in the UK and to refugees in Italy as a result. Gain some experience volunteering while you learn. The Do it volunteering website often has placements for this.
Also, make sure you keep your language skills up (see my previous posts on this for more information). If you can visit Italy/Spain/South America or start a language exchange class/group in your local area, then do it. Be generous with your time to help the local community and you will find that you will make a name for yourself. Try and find the local expat community of people with your language skills in the local area and do some networking/connecting it will be worth your while.
Moreover, if you are planning to set up as a teacher/translator, make the most of technology! A good website is vital. I recommend this company who did my website and are very professional and reasonably priced. Also, Facebook pages and Twitter pages are very useful. I must admit that if you target your ads right paid marketing on Facebook can pay off. Skype is very handy for online teaching. You can screen-share and send files which is good.
Furthermore, being somewhat business minded does help. It helps to do your homework and keep a head for figures/profit margins. Don’t forget to factor in all the little costs such as photocopying/materials and try to find the most economically priced venues that you can. Don’t be too modest and undervalue your skills and be firm when people to haggle. Also, try to get people to book upfront for a course of lessons if you possibly can. Having said all that, if you want to translate you may have to accept a slightly lower rate while you gain experience (Up Work / People Per Hour) or for shorter work that will boost your portfolio of work.
Well, I hope it all goes well for you. If you want to add a new language to your skillset, let me know.
Lauren x