Giving back to the community through volunteer language-related projects offers a remarkable opportunity to showcase your language abilities while gaining invaluable work experience if you are in between jobs or working for a company also in the business of helping others. Bilingual professionals can leverage projects led by nonprofit organizations to support social causes within their communities or collaborate on language-focused outreach initiatives within their workplaces.
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Meeting Domestic Demand: Leveraging Bilingual Skills
As stated by a survey conducted for ACTFL, U.S. employers are more likely to use their foreign language capabilities on domestic fronts. Given the ongoing growth of multilingual and multicultural populations across the United States, the demand for volunteering remains continuous, especially when disaster strikes.
Triple-win Benefits of Volunteering
“The benefits of volunteering are considerable, both for those who do it and for those who receive it. We could say that it is a triple-win situation: for companies, for employees, and for the communities,” (Perrone). For bilingual professionals, some benefits of volunteering are generating a sense of purpose and connecting and being an active member of the community.
Exploring Volunteer Opportunities and Contributions
Embarking on the rewarding experience of volunteering can be jumpstarted by reaching out to local entities, such as community centers, schools, libraries, nonprofits, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in your vicinity that serve diverse individuals. Express your interest for contributing your language skills to volunteering endeavors designed to assist non-English speaking people with accessing the resources they need. Additionally, some companies have their own volunteer programs that provide a forum for employees interested in helping disadvantaged groups.
Diverse Language Support Roles: Making an Impact
Different opportunities to help in using your bilingual language skills, which can also improve your own proficiency in your second language, are language teaching and tutoring, as well as translating and interpreting. For example, you can use your language skills to help immigrants aspiring to learn English, or newcomers adapting to the U.S. culture—these can be immensely valuable in overcoming language barriers. Community organizations as well as charities are places where bilingual professionals can translate educational material or interpret conversations for diverse populations and make information accessible in different languages. Moreover, bi/multilingual individuals can serve as bridges between linguistic minority communities and organizations through outreach programs.
Contributing to Literacy and Integration Programs
Fostering the activity of reading stories in another language to children or adults is another valid way to collaborate with libraries or schools. Additionally, contributing to multilingual audiobook recordings for the visually impaired or those with limited access to books in their native tongues supports literacy programs that can benefit from your linguistic support. Similarly, joining organizations that offer orientation to refugees or immigrants to help them navigate into the new community systems or provide language assistance during crucial services like medical appointments can also be profoundly impactful. Furthermore, you can find language-related opportunities on online platforms and virtual communities. Networking with bilingual professionals who are already participating in similar tasks can provide insights into more possibilities.
Language Support in Times of Crisis: A Crucial Role
When it comes to extending a helping hand, few things match the significance of being part of the language support personnel during natural disasters or emergencies. “Many employers appreciate when candidates have volunteer experience, as it demonstrates passion, initiative and commitment,” (Buttel and Krosel). Demonstrating your ability to ensure clear and effective communication with those in need in their native language significantly enhances crisis response efforts, and makes a favorable impression upon a prospective employer.
Certify Your Contribution: Enhance Your Impact
If you are eager to make a positive contribution to your community or organization while enhancing your own language skills and overall personal and professional development, consider getting your language skills certified. Contact Language Testing International (LTI), a leader in the administration of proficiency testing worldwide. As the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, LTI offers reliable and valid certifications in over 120 languages. It provides secure remotely proctored assessments, anytime and from anywhere, for your convenience.
Sources
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. (2019). “Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers”. https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf
Buttel Stacey, Krosel Amber. “Benefits of Volunteering: 10 Reasons to Volunteer”. Indeed. July 31, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-are-benefits-of-volunteering
Perrone, Giusseppe. “30+ companies with significant volunteer programs”. TwentyNow. October 12, 2021. https://www.twentynow.com/sustainability-initiatives/social/30-companies-with-significant-volunteer-programs/
