resume language skills written spoken

10 Examples – How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume

• Language Skills: Levels of Proficiency Part 1
• How to Choose the Right Resume Format Part 2
• How to Position Your Language Skills Part 3
• How to Highlight Languages In Job-Related Sections Part 4
• How to Cite Your Languages in a Resume: Examples Part 5
• CERF Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples Part 6
• ACTFL Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples Part 7
• ILR Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples Part 8
• How to Incorporate Language Skills in Cover Letter Part 9
• How to Display Language Proficiency on LinkedIn Part 10

Showcasing your language skills on your resume can set you apart from other candidates and help you land your dream job. But how do you highlight these skills effectively? Here are some tips and examples on how to include language skills on your resume.

Part 1 Language Skills: Levels of Proficiency

Knowing your level of proficiency for each language helps employers understand how effectively you can communicate in various situations. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you define your language skills:

• Native : Being a native speaker means that you grew up with the language and it is likely your first language. You are fully proficient in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in this language. On your resume, you can mention that you are a native speaker of English or another language.
• Fluent : If you can effortlessly speak, read, and write a language without any significant difficulties, you are considered to be fluent in that language. This generally means that you can comfortably engage in conversations, understand cultural contexts, and are able to think in the language. In this case, you could say that you are fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian, for example.
• Professional Working Proficiency : If you can confidently engage in face-to-face or written professional discussions, you possess a professional working proficiency in the language. You should be able to relay complex ideas, read texts, and comprehend business-related jargon. For example, you may have professional working proficiency in Japanese.
• Intermediate Level : An intermediate language skill level is marked by your ability to participate in most social and workplace conversations with occasional misunderstandings. You may have a limited vocabulary and struggle with more complex speech or writing.
• Limited working proficiency is when you can manage basic conversations and tasks in the language. You can understand the general idea and give simple instructions. However, complex topics can be challenging to grasp, and you might feel more comfortable with support from native speakers in the workplace.
• Conversational : If you can communicate in a language but only during casual conversations, you have conversational proficiency. You can typically express basic ideas and understand spoken language, but you may struggle with complex concepts or writing.
• Elementary : If you know only a few phrases and basic vocabulary in a language, your proficiency is at the elementary level. You can handle simple interactions and communicate simple needs.

Resume Section Example 1

_______________________________________

Language Skills:

• English: Native Speaker
• Spanish: Fluent
• French: Professional Working Proficiency
• Mandarin Chinese: Intermediate Level
• German: Limited Working Proficiency

Resume Section Example 2

• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Professional working proficiency in French
• Intermediate level in Japanese
• Conversational in Portuguese

To further show off your language skills, you could include any certifications or achievements related to languages you’ve earned. This might look like:

Certifications: – English: TOEFL iBT – 110/120 – Spanish: DELE A2

Another way to let your language skills shine is by highlighting any experience you’ve gained using these languages. Be it a study abroad program, volunteer work, or professional experience in a foreign country, make sure you mention it in your resume.

Experience: Study Abroad: – Semester in Barcelona, Spain – Fall 2020 – Attended University of Barcelona courses in Spanish – Improved language skills through immersion and interaction with locals

Volunteer Work: – Assisted at a local community center, teaching English to Spanish-speaking immigrants – 4 months in 2019

To help gauge your language proficiency, you can use scales like the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) or the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Both use standardized measurements to indicate a person’s language abilities. Alternatively, you can take recognized language proficiency tests to obtain a more exact evaluation of your language abilities.

There are two commonly used scales: the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Both have varying levels based on linguistic knowledge and communication abilities.

For the CEFR scale , proficiency is organized into six levels:

• A1: Beginner
• A2: Elementary/Breakthrough
• B1: Intermediate/Threshold
• B2: Upper-Intermediate/Vantage
• C1: Advanced/Effective Operational Proficiency
• C2: Mastery/Near-native Proficiency

For the ACTFL scale , there are five main levels:

• Novice (Low, Mid, High)
• Intermediate (Low, Mid, High)
• Advanced (Low, Mid, High)
• Distinguished

When you include language skills on your resume, it’s important to choose the appropriate proficiency level that best reflects your abilities and matches the scale used in your country or industry. Always be honest about your skills, as you don’t want to be placed in a situation that exceeds your capability.

Part 2 How to Choose the Right Resume Format

Your resume format directly impacts how your language abilities are highlighted. Here are some popular resume formats and guidance on how to effectively showcase your language expertise:

Option 1: Chronological resume : This format focuses on your work experience in reverse chronological order. To demonstrate your language skills, you can mention your proficiency in the “Skills” or “Language Skills” section. If you’ve used specific languages extensively in previous roles, you can include that in the job description. For example:

• Fluent in Spanish: Acted as a translation liaison between the sales team and Spanish-speaking clients.

Option 2: Functional resume : A functional resume emphasizes skills and achievements over work history. Create a “Language Skills” section and use bullet points to demonstrate your proficiency level in multiple languages. Here’s an example:

• French: Conversational
• Mandarin: Beginner

Option 3: Combination resume : This format merges the best of both chronological and functional resumes. Create a “Language Skills” section to showcase your proficiency levels, and mention specific instances where you’ve used your language skills in your work experience. For example:

• Facilitated communication with Spanish-speaking clients and translated marketing materials.

Choose the appropriate resume format based on your work history and experience, then effectively highlight your language skills in the designated section.

Part 3 How to Position Your Language Skills

When listing language skills on your resume, it’s important to showcase them in a way that highlights your proficiency and catches the attention of potential employers. To effectively position your language skills, consider the following strategies:

• Place your language skills in a dedicated skills section. This helps employers quickly identify your linguistic abilities without having to search through your entire resume. Keep this section concise and well-organized.
• Tailor your language skills to the job you’re applying for. If a job requires fluency in a specific language, make sure it’s prominent on your resume. Highlight any certifications, degrees, or courses you have taken in the language as well.
• Don’t forget to mention your language skills in the experience or education sections if relevant. For instance, you can include a bullet point highlighting your use of a second language to negotiate contracts or collaborate with international clients. This demonstrates real-world application of your language skills, making them more tangible and impressive to employers.
• Lastly, showcase your skill level accurately and honestly. Exaggerated or false claims about your language proficiency can lead to uncomfortable situations during interviews or on the job. Be clear and confident in your abilities, but also be fair and realistic when describing your language skills on your resume.

Part 4 How to Highlight Languages In Job-Related Sections

One way to highlight your language skills is by including them in your work experience. Mention specific instances where your language proficiency contributed to a project or improved team communication. For example, if you used your fluency in French to assist your team in handling an international client, describe the situation and the beneficial outcomes for your employer.

Incorporate languages in your professional experience section by discussing tasks or collaborations where your proficiency in a language was essential. For example, if you’re an interpreter, discuss situations where your language skills helped clients understand complex documents or navigate cultural barriers.

Match your language skills with the requirements outlined in the job listing. If the employer specifically seeks candidates with fluency in a certain language, emphasize your capability in that language in your job-related sections. For instance, if the position involves managing international clients and you’re proficient in the client’s native language, make sure you emphasize this when describing your professional experience.

Job-Related Sections Examples

1. Project Manager with Multilingual Team: – “As a Project Manager at X Company, I led a diverse team with members from different countries. My fluency in Spanish and English played a crucial role in bridging language gaps and facilitating effective communication among team members. This contributed to a cohesive work environment and improved project outcomes.”

2. Marketing Specialist Expanding into New Markets: – “During my tenure as a Marketing Specialist at ABC Corporation, I spearheaded the expansion into Latin American markets. My proficiency in Portuguese allowed me to tailor marketing campaigns to the local audience, resulting in a 20% increase in sales within the region.”

3. Customer Service Representative Handling International Clients: – “As a Customer Service Representative at DEF Solutions, I regularly interacted with international clients. My ability to speak Mandarin Chinese not only helped me assist Chinese-speaking clients but also improved overall team communication, leading to higher customer satisfaction ratings.”

4. Software Developer Collaborating with Offshore Team: – “While working as a Software Developer at Tech Innovators, I collaborated with an offshore development team based in India. My fluency in Hindi enabled me to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, leading to smoother coordination, reduced misunderstandings, and on-time project deliveries.”

5. Sales Manager in Global Sales Division: – “In my role as Sales Manager in the Global Sales Division of GHI Enterprises, I managed accounts across Europe and Asia. My proficiency in German was instrumental in establishing rapport with German clients, resulting in a 15% increase in sales within the German market.”

6. Legal Consultant Resolving Cross-Border Disputes: – “As a Legal Consultant at Law Firm XYZ, I specialized in resolving cross-border disputes. My ability to speak and write in both Spanish and English allowed me to draft legal documents and communicate with clients in their preferred language, simplifying complex legal matters and enhancing client satisfaction.”

7. International Relations Coordinator in a Nonprofit: – “While serving as the International Relations Coordinator at Nonprofit Organization ABC, I organized events and collaborations with international partners. My proficiency in French facilitated meaningful discussions and partnerships with French-speaking NGOs, expanding our global reach and impact.”

8. Tourism Manager Catering to Diverse Tourists: – “As a Tourism Manager at Wanderlust Adventures, I frequently interacted with tourists from various countries. My knowledge of multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian, and Japanese, allowed me to provide personalized assistance, leading to positive reviews and repeat business.”

Part 5 How to Cite Your Languages in a Resume: Examples

Phrases examples.

• Native speaker of German, with a strong understanding of grammar and syntax.
• Fluent in Spanish, with extensive experience living and working in Spanish-speaking countries.
• Proficient in French, with the ability to read, write, and speak at an intermediate level.
• Basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, with a focus on conversational skills and travel-related vocabulary.
• Fluent in Russian, with a focus on reading and translating literature and academic texts.
• Advanced proficiency in Japanese, with experience translating technical documents and interpreting for business meetings.
• Intermediate level in Italian, with a focus on reading and writing.
• Conversational fluency in Portuguese, with experience communicating with native speakers in both professional and social settings.
• Advanced proficiency in English, with experience teaching English as a second language to non-native speakers.

Part 6 CERF Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples

CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages):

A1 (Beginner): – Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. – Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know, and things they have.

A2 (Elementary/Breakthrough): – Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance. – Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

B1 (Intermediate/Threshold): – Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. – Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.

B2 (Upper-Intermediate/Vantage): – Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization. – Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.

C1 (Advanced/Effective Operational Proficiency): – Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. – Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.

C2 (Mastery/Near-native Proficiency): – Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. – Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations.

Example: How to list your language proficiency on a resume using the CERF scale

• English (C2): Native language
• Spanish (B2): Intermediate
• Mandarin Chinese (A2): Beginner

Part 7 ACTFL Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples

ACTFL scale (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages):

Novice: – Novice Low: Can understand and produce basic words and phrases related to familiar topics, but may struggle with understanding or producing more complex language. – Novice Mid: Can understand and produce simple sentences and questions related to familiar topics, but may still struggle with more complex language and unfamiliar situations. – Novice High: Can understand and produce simple sentences and questions on a wider range of topics, but may still struggle with more complex language and unfamiliar situations.

Intermediate: – Intermediate Low: Can communicate effectively in most everyday situations, but may struggle with more complex language and abstract concepts. – Intermediate Mid: Can communicate effectively in most everyday situations, and can understand and produce more complex language related to familiar topics. – Intermediate High: Can communicate effectively in most situations, and can understand and produce more complex language related to a wide range of topics.

Advanced: – Advanced Low: Can understand and participate in conversations on a wide range of topics, but may struggle with understanding or producing more abstract or nuanced language. – Advanced Mid: Can understand and participate in conversations on a wide range of topics, and can understand and produce more abstract or nuanced language. – Advanced High: Can understand and participate in complex conversations on a wide range of topics, including abstract and nuanced ideas.

Superior: – Can understand and participate in complex conversations on a wide range of topics, including abstract and nuanced ideas, and can produce language with a high degree of accuracy, fluency, and cultural competence.

Distinguished: – Can understand and produce language with a level of proficiency and cultural competence that is equivalent to that of a highly educated native speaker.

Example: How to list your language proficiency on a resume using the ACTFL scale

• French (Advanced High)
• German (Intermediate Mid)
• Japanese (Novice High)

Part 8 ILR Language Proficiency Scale: Descriptions, Examples

Another popular testing standard is the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale:

Level 0: No proficiency – You have no ability to understand or communicate in the language.

Level 1: Elementary proficiency – You have basic communication skills and can understand simple phrases and expressions. You can communicate in familiar situations and can handle basic needs like ordering food or asking for directions.

Level 2: Limited working proficiency – You can communicate in most situations related to work or daily life. You can understand and participate in conversations about familiar topics, but may struggle with more complex language or unfamiliar situations.

Level 3: Professional working proficiency – You have a strong command of the language and can communicate effectively in most professional or academic settings. You can understand and participate in discussions on a wide range of topics and can express yourself clearly and accurately.

Level 4: Full professional proficiency – You have near-native fluency in the language and can communicate effectively in any situation. You can understand and express complex ideas and can adapt your language to different audiences and contexts.

Level 5: Native or bilingual proficiency – You have complete mastery of the language, including all its nuances and cultural references. You can understand and express yourself fluently and naturally, without any noticeable accent or errors.

Example: How to list your language proficiency on a resume using the ILR scale

• English: Full professional proficiency
• Spanish: Professional working proficiency
• Mandarin Chinese: Limited working proficiency
• French: Elementary proficiency

Part 9 How to Incorporate Language Skills in Cover Letter

When you’re working on your cover letter, take the opportunity to showcase your language skills. This can help set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your versatility as a potential employee. Here are some tips for incorporating language skills into your cover letter.

Start by mentioning your language proficiency levels in the opening paragraph. Include the names of the languages you know and how well you can speak, read, or write each of them.

In my previous role, I successfully used my fluency in French and conversational Spanish to assist clients and foster a positive working environment…

Next, highlight specific instances where your language skills were valuable. Sharing stories and experiences can show potential employers the real-world applicability of your language skills. Focus on how these skills benefited the company or your colleagues.

During my time at X Company, I was able to improve customer satisfaction rates for our French-speaking clientele by providing support and resolving issues in their native language.

Don’t forget to mention any language-related certifications or achievements you hold. Listing certifications, like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF), can solidify your claims of language proficiency. For example:

As a holder of a B2 DELF certification, I effectively communicate with clients and teammates in French on a daily basis.

Lastly, ensure your cover letter is tailored to the job position and company. Mention how your language expertise can positively impact the company or align with its values or objectives. For example:

With my knowledge of Mandarin and the company’s growing presence in the Chinese market, I am confident that my language skills will contribute to ABC Corporation’s growth and success…

Part 10 How to Display Language Proficiency on LinkedIn

When creating your LinkedIn profile, showcasing your language skills can help you stand out to potential employers and connections. Here’s how to add language skills to your LinkedIn profile effectively.

First, head to the Languages section under the Accomplishments tab of your LinkedIn profile’s editing interface. If it’s not visible, click on the “plus” symbol and select Languages from the list. This is the dedicated section for listing languages and their proficiency levels.

For each language you’re proficient in, add the language name and select the appropriate proficiency level from the available options:

• Elementary proficiency
• Limited working proficiency
• Professional working proficiency
• Full professional proficiency
• Native or bilingual proficiency

Choose the level that best represents your ability to speak, read, and write in that particular language. Be honest when selecting proficiency levels, as overestimating your skills could lead to uncomfortable situations during interviews or work tasks.

Once you’ve added all the languages you’re proficient in, save your changes and preview your LinkedIn profile to ensure your language abilities are displayed correctly.

As an alternative, you can also mention your language skills in the About section or Experience section, depending on the job importance of knowing a particular language. For example, if you’ve worked in roles where speaking another language was essential, make sure to highlight it in your job description.

Example 1 – About Section:

About Me: I am a results-oriented professional with a strong background in international sales and marketing. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, I excel at building relationships with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. My language skills have been instrumental in expanding our global market presence and driving revenue growth.

Example 2 – Experience Section:

Sales Manager, X Corporation – Led a multicultural sales team and increased international sales by 30%. – Utilized my fluency in Mandarin Chinese to establish and nurture key partnerships in the Chinese market, resulting in a 40% boost in revenue. – Collaborated with the marketing department to create bilingual promotional materials for the Latin American market, contributing to a 20% increase in sales in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different levels to describe language skills on a cv.

• Beginner: You have basic knowledge of the language and can communicate in simple everyday situations.
• Elementary: You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases.
• Intermediate: You can communicate about familiar topics and understand the main points of clear standard input.
• Upper-intermediate: You can interact with native speakers without strain and understand more complex text on various topics.
• Fluent: You can express yourself spontaneously, effectively, and accurately, with a wide range of vocabulary and proper grammar.
• Expert: You have a near-native level of fluency, understanding idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances.

What are some examples of showcasing language proficiency in a resume?

Here are three examples of how to showcase your language proficiency on a resume:

• Example 1: Languages: English (native), Spanish (fluent), French (intermediate)
• English – Native speaker
• Spanish – Fluent in spoken and written communication
• French – Intermediate level with strong reading and listening skills
• Example 3: In a Skills section: Proficient in English, Spanish, and French, with experience in translation and interpreting.

How should I list language skills in a job description on my CV?

When listing language skills in a job description, focus on how your language abilities were relevant to the position and contributed to your success. You can mention specific tasks or projects that required language skills, or discuss your interactions with clients and colleagues in another language.

Example: Managed a team of 10 Spanish-speaking employees, conducting weekly meetings and communicating project updates in both English and Spanish.

When is it appropriate to include a language on my resume?

It’s appropriate to include a language on your resume if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for, if it sets you apart from other candidates, or if it exemplifies your background and experience. This may be especially important for positions with multinational companies or those requiring frequent communication with people from different backgrounds.

What are the best practices for stating language skills in resume writing?

• Be honest about your level of proficiency, so you don’t set unrealistic expectations during interviews or in the workplace.
• Use the six-level scale to indicate your language skills accurately.
• List the languages you’re proficient in, along with your level, under a separate “Languages” or “Skills” section on your resume.
• Avoid using vague terms like “conversational” or “advanced”; instead, use precise terms like “intermediate” or “fluent.”
• Mention language-related experiences or accomplishments, such as translation work, language-related projects, or study abroad experiences.
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How to Include Languages on Your Resume [W/ Practical Tips]

You probably already know that speaking more than one language is a big professional asset. 

On top of the obvious (being able to communicate with more people), speaking multiple languages is known to improve your memory and ability to multitask, all of which are bound to help you perform better at your job.

But did you know that there is a right and wrong way to include language skills on your resume? 

The first can give you an advantage over other candidates with similar qualifications, whereas the second might make your language skills practically invisible in recruiters’ eyes. 

So, to help you make the most out of your resume language skills, we’ve put together this guide on everything you need to know on the topic, including:

• Why Do Resume Language Skills Matter?
• How to List Languages on Resume?

Language Proficiency Levels

• Language Sections on Resume Examples

And much more! 

What Are Resume Language Skills?

Language skills refer to the ability to communicate (speak, read, and write) in different languages. 

On a resume, language skills typically refer to any other language you master on top of your native language. Considering that there are many levels of language proficiency, language skills on a resume are typically categorized into beginner, mid-range, and advanced levels.

Why do Resume Language Skills Matter?

Let’s let hard facts do the talking. 

According to a Rosetta Stone survey, up to 35% of those responsible for hiring or managing employees said that a candidate’s or employee’s second language proficiency leads them to take one of the following actions:

• Extend a job offer
• Invite the candidate to a job interview
• Recommend a promotion
• Recommend a pay raise

Additionally, nearly 54% of those who already hold a job said that knowing a foreign language is important in their position. 

That’s no surprise - mastering a foreign language comes with many important benefits:

• Enhanced productivity and ability to multitask
• Higher creativity and better communication skills
• Bigger access to international markets and job opportunities

So, unless your knowledge of a foreign language consists of a mere 10 words (meaning, you’re just a beginner), always include your language skills on your resume. On top of all the benefits mentioned above, your language skills will effectively set you apart from candidates with the same work experience , skills, and education. 

Describing your language skills on your resume can get a bit messy, especially if you and the recruiter are not on the same page regarding language proficiency levels. 

For example, the recruiter might wonder if an intermediate candidate will be able to hold a work-related conversation with an international client, or whether a conversational level applicant is able to read and write, on top of being able to hold a conversation in a foreign language. 

To avoid all the confusion, you can list your language skills using a language proficiency scale . These are frameworks established by language organizations that categorize people into proficiency levels based on their language fluency, accuracy, and other factors. 

More importantly, these frameworks standardize language proficiency, helping recruiters and employers understand exactly what your language skill level means. 

Here are the four most popular language proficiency frameworks you can use on your resume: 

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) . This popular framework of European guidelines is fairly easy to understand. It scores basic users as A1 or A2, independent users as B1 or B2, and proficient users as C1 and C2.
• Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR). This US government-developed framework has 6 levels (0-5) and uses the (+) sign to differentiate the in-betweens.
• LinkedIn. As the world’s largest professional network , LinkedIn has its own language proficiency framework. Similar to the ILR, it categorizes them into native and bilingual proficiency, full professional proficiency, professional working proficiency, etc.
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). This is another popular language proficiency framework that categorizes language skills into Novice (Low, Mid, High),  Intermediate (Low, Mid, High), Advanced (Low, Mid, High), Superior , and Distinguished .

To make things easier, here is a table showing exactly how each framework compares to one another: 

How to List Languages on a Resume

By now, it’s pretty clear how important language skills are. This brings us to the reason you’re probably reading this article: learning how to list your language skills on your resume adequately.

Here’s how you can do that:

#1. Choose a Language Rating System

First things first, you have to choose a language rating system to use on your resume. 

Say, for example, that you master Spanish and French. If you use the CEFR framework to describe your proficiency level in French and the ILR framework to describe your Spanish skills, that’ll only confuse the recruiter reading your resume and make you look disorganized. 

So, to determine which language rating system you should use, the first thing you need to do is check the job requirements. 

If the job ad requires knowledge in a specific language and specifies a proficiency framework, then make sure to list your language skills according to that framework scale. 

Alternatively, if you have taken one of the popular language assessments, you can include your rating after each listed language. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for a position in a company that doesn’t require mastering a foreign language or isn’t in business with international clients, you can skip on using a formal rating scale altogether. 

Remember to be consistent even if the position you’re applying for doesn’t specify a language proficiency rating. If you’re going to be listing more than one language, pick a proficiency framework and stick to it! 

#2. Determine Your Fluency Level

There’s nothing worse than exaggerating your language proficiency level, only for recruiters to find out your language skills are not what you claim. 

To avoid awkwardness, make sure to determine your fluency level accurately (in writing, speaking, and reading) and be truthful about it on your resume. 

So, list the foreign language you know and check what the position you’re applying for needs. One employer might be more interested in your writing skills, whereas another might need someone with strong speaking skills to participate in meetings with foreign partners. 

In your resume, you should be able to give factual information about your fluency level in speaking, writing, and reading - as well as highlight whatever skill is more relevant to the position. If your fluency level varies among the three and the position specifically asks for, say, high reading comprehension, consider listing each rating separately. If, on the other hand, you have the same comprehension level for all three, or the job ad just doesn’t ask for much in terms of your language skills, simply list one rating to save space and make sure your resume is within the optimal one-page length . 

#3. Choose the Right Place to Include Your Language Skills

There are three ways you can list your language skills on your resume:

• On your resume summary or resume objective
• In the skills section
• In a separate language skills section

Where you choose to list your language skills will mainly depend on how important they are for the position you’re applying for. So, for example, if your fluency in a particular language is essential for the role, you can start by adding them to your resume summary as follows: 

• A bilingual, hard-working customer service agent who speaks English and Spanish and has over 5 years of experience in customer support. Previous experience communicating with customers both in English and Spanish in the same role. 

As language skill is mandatory for the role, the hiring manager is going to be looking for the language skill from the get-go in order to filter out unqualified candidates.

Having the language skill right on top of your resume helps the recruiter instantly see that you’re qualified for the role.

In such a case, it’s also good practice to include your language skills as a dedicated section alongside the respective skill levels. For example:

If, on the other hand, your language skills are not essential for the role, you can save space by adding them under your skills or education sections.  Here’s an example of how that would look on a resume: 

B.A. in Linguistics

King’s College, London

2012 - 2016

• Mastered limited working proficiency in Spanish and Italian 
• Graduated with a 3,85 GPA

#4. Format Your Language Skills the Right Way 

Regardless of where you choose to list your language skills on your resume, you’ve got to add your proficiency level accurately. That way, recruiters will have a clear idea of your knowledge. 

One way to do that, especially if you master more than one foreign language, is to list them in descending order of proficiency. For example: 

• Portuguese - Level 5 (ILR)/Bilingual Proficiency
• Spanish - Level 4 (ILR)/Full Professional Proficiency
• Italian - Level 2 (ILR)/Limited Working Proficiency

Resume Language Skills Examples

Knowing things theoretically is great, but practice makes perfect. 

Here are some practical examples of how you can list your language skills on your resume: 

Example #1. Dedicated Language Skills Section (LinkedIn Framework)

Language Skills

• English - Native/Bilingual 
• German - Native/Bilingual 
• Dutch - Professional Working Proficiency (CEFT level C1) 
• French - Limited Working Proficiency (CEFT level B1)

Example #2.  Dedicated Language Skills Section (ACTFL Framework)

• Romanian - Superior (ACTFL)
• Polish - Advanced Mid (ACTFL)
• Bulgarian - Intermediate Mid (ACTFL)

Example #3: Languages Under Skills Section

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Photo Editing
• Storyboarding
• Spanish (Full Professional Proficiency)

Always use the most relevant language proficiency framework (in your country) when describing your skills. For a job in Europe, that would be the CEFT system, whereas for a job in the US, the ACTFL or LinkedIn system.

How Do I Determine My Level of Language Proficiency?

As we already mentioned, the proficiency level of your language skills should be as accurate as possible, which means you should avoid estimations and guesswork. 

This might lead to overvaluing your skills (and eventually looking like a liar) or undervaluing them and missing the chance to stand out. 

To accurately determine your level of language proficiency, do one of the following:

• Obtain an official language certificate
• Self-assess your language knowledge 

The first option is perfect if the language is crucial for the job and if you’ll need to do more than the basics of communication. By paying for a test, you can get an official score of your proficiency. 

If the language is not an essential requirement for the position, on the other hand, using official guidelines and rules to self-assess your skills is totally acceptable too. 

Here is how you can do that: 

• Through the official ILR website and their self-assessment questionnaires for reading, writing, and speaking respectively.
• The official CEFR chart , allows you to judge your listening, reading, writing, spoken interaction, and spoken production skills. 
• The ACTFL site updates its proficiency guidelines every several years. They have a 10-level scale that lets you self-assess your language skills in several areas. 

If you hold an official certificate for one language and you’ve self-assessed your knowledge of another, you can make the distinction by writing, for example, “French - C1 certificate” and “Italian - B1 level.”  

5 Other Valuable (Optional) Sections to Include in Your Resume

Language skills are a valuable section to add to your resume after you’ve included some of the essentials, such as your work experience, education , and skills. 

However, they’re not the only optional section that you can take advantage of to take your resume from great to exceptional. 

Here are 5 other valuable optional sections to include in your resume if you’ve got the space: 

• Volunteering experience . Volunteer work is always a resume plus, especially if the company puts emphasis on giving or if your experience is related to the job position.
• Extracurricular activities. If you’ve just recently graduated, a section with your extracurricular activities can help significantly improve your resume, as they prove you’re an active individual that is engaged beyond their academic duties.
• Projects. Side projects can show that you’re naturally curious and that you take initiative.
• Awards and certifications. If you have any awards or certifications that testify to your skills, don’t hesitate to show them off on your resume. A little healthy flexing doesn’t hurt!
• Hobbies and interests . This can tell a lot about who you are outside of work, so make sure to list the hobbies that put you in the best light.

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! After reading this article, you should be able to add your language skills to your resume in the most effective way possible.

Before you get on with that, here are the most important points covered in this article:

• Knowing a foreign language can improve your productivity and ability to multitask as well as open more employment opportunities in international markets.
• To properly list your language skills on your resume, you have to pick one language rating system, determine your language proficiency, decide in what section you’ll list your languages, and format the section the right way.
• The most popular language rating systems include the LinkedIn rating system, the Interagency Language Roundtable, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
• To determine your language proficiency level, you can either take an official language test and acquire a certificate or self-assess your knowledge following the right guidelines and documentation.

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Language Skills on Resume: How to Explain Proficiency & Fluency

In This Guide:

What are language skills, when should i include language skills on my resume, where should i include language skills, how to write a good language skills section, language proficiency level, mistakes to avoid when including your language skills, faqs about language skills on resume, in conclusion.

A different language is a different vision of life.

Federico Fellini

Did you know that the languages you speak can affect your personality ? Indeed, they can change the way you express your emotions, your intonation, your facial expressions and gestures. Rather than making you inconsistent, this versatility’s a fortune. How lucky are we to be able to take on different roles – we do this when we change jobs, and when we speak another language. Sometimes, we can do both simultaneously!

Your language skills are effective in all walks of life, and your career is no exception. In our interconnected world, being multilingual is highly valued by recruiters. Wondering how to list your language proficiency on your resume? Our guide covers that and more!

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Key takeaways:

• The core language skills are speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Each of them is uniquely useful, so practice all of them when you can.
• Listing your language skills is always a good idea, especially in jobs where you’ll work with multinational clients. Language proficiency can help you in different settings, as learning them practices valuable skills such as self-discipline, creativity, and cultural awareness.
• Your language skills are best placed in a separate section, but interspersing them in your summary, experience, education, and skills section is also an option.
• A good language section is concise but catchy, so consider using an interesting design to present your fluency.
• Your language level is probably the most important information to recruiters. Remember to be consistent with the framework you use.
• If you’re based in the US, choose between the IRL or ACTFL frameworks. The CERF scale is best if you’re in Europe. The LinkedIn scale is universal.

Your language skills can range from holding a casual conversation to writing your PhD in a certain language. So, what people consider a language ability can vary widely depending on their needs.

Generally, language skills are what allows you to communicate effectively with people from different nationalities and cultures. These abilities are typically divided into four main categories: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each of these is important for a unique reason:

• Listening : Imagine being able to listen to your favorite Spanish song and understand the meaning, or walk around an Italian city and catch glimpses of strangers’ conversations. Listening is all about accurately catching the words, picking up on the grammar and intonation, and making sense of what you hear. In a work environment, strong listening skills can help you accurately understand client needs during meetings and respond effectively.
• Speaking : Speaking is your ticket to actively engaging with others in a new language. It might be the most useful language skill you can have in a work setting. Don’t sweat about pronunciation so much! Your focus should be on using the proper words to be understood. Mastering conversational nuances can help share your thoughts and connect with people around you. You can use your speaking skills to lead presentations, negotiate deals, and collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Reading : Good reading skills can provide access to exclusive information. Many valuable resources, such as industry-specific research, technical manuals, and market analysis reports, are published in various languages. Collecting insights that might not be available in your native language gives you a competitive edge.
• Writing : Writing allows you to share your ideas and stories with the world in another language. It involves more than just correct grammar and spelling. It's about crafting your thoughts clearly and logically, making sure your message hits home. In a work setting, writing pays off through your ability to draft clear emails, create detailed reports, and develop persuasive proposals.

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It’s always worth mentioning your language proficiencies on your resume, as they can help in diverse situations. Even if the job posting doesn’t specifically call for them, language skills can set you apart in a competitive environment. Language learning’s also valuable because it develops different cognitive skills like memory and problem-solving . It enhances communication abilities , fosters social and cultural awareness, and cultivates practical skills like time management  and digital literacy.

Here are some concrete examples of when your language skills could be beneficial in your application.

If speaking a foreign language is valuable to the company

That’s pretty straightforward — if your language skills are relevant to the job you’re hoping to get, you should include them.

Think about what your day-to-day tasks will be in your role. If you’re a translator  or a language teacher , your job will naturally revolve around languages. But what about other jobs, where language skills might not seem as crucial? If you’re applying for a retail assistant , will multiple languages help you communicate with customers? If you’re working in customer support , how many countries is the company based in? Reflect on how your language abilities can add value, even in roles where they aren’t an obvious requirement.

In developing his customer support resume, Sia knew his ability to speak over three languages would make an impression on recruiters at SAP SE.

Sia built his language section with Enhancv. His example uses one of the most popular frameworks, the ACTFL Proficiency Scale (we’ll talk about it in a bit).

If you have little experience

Language skills are great for adding content to your resume. If you’re putting together your first resume , language skills show your ability to learn quickly and to apply your knowledge to real-world situations. Especially if you’ve chosen the functional format  that gives more weight to your skills rather than your limited experience .

In Avery’s volunteer resume , they highlighted their language skills as they were applying for a role with AIESEC, which has entities based all around the world.

This language section example uses the LinkedIn language framework (we’ll talk about this one in a bit, too).

If the open position is competitive

In a competitive environment, listing your language skills can make you a more well-rounded candidate. Imagine the following scenario:

Both Tom and Emma are applying for the position of Senior Marketing Manager at Etsy. They’ve got the same amount of experience , and their skill set is fairly similar, too. However, Emma mentioned that she’s fluent in French & German on her resume, while Tom didn’t. Emma’s value proposition for the company increases exponentially, as there will be a lot of practical uses for her language skills. Even though Tom’s language proficiency might be on par with Emma's, he never bothered to show that – thus, his chances to get a callback get slimmer.

Emma's language fluency makes her stand out for the Senior Marketing Manager  role at Etsy, proving how crucial it is to highlight all relevant skills on a resume .

If you're applying for a job in a different country

Reassure the hiring manager that there’d be no language barrier when communicating with your coworkers. Think of ways to express culture familiarity and language use in professional settings. If you speak French, for example, you can list things like:

• Conducted market research and wrote detailed reports in French for a French-speaking region.
• Coordinated with French suppliers, ensuring seamless project execution.
• Spent six months in France on a work exchange, immersing in French business practices and culture.

If you’re going to work in a language that’s not your mother tongue, make sure you can provide evidence of your abilities. This will give you credibility. What courses and certificates can you list to show you’ve worked at learning the language?

If you have to demonstrate quick-learning skills

If you’re applying for a job involving lots of continuous learning , your language-learning experience can come to your advantage. Here are some concrete examples:

• Adaptability and flexibility:  "Learning a new language required me to quickly adapt to different methods and environments, showcasing my flexibility."
• Problem-solving skills:  "Overcoming language learning challenges enhanced my problem-solving abilities."
• Self-discipline and time management:  "Balancing language study with other tasks strengthened my self-discipline and time management."

Don’t include your language skills on your resume if…

There’s one situation, though, where it makes perfect sense to leave the language section out – if you’re a monoglot. Unlike its more popular cousin, the polyglot, this is someone who only speaks one language. Simply put, the recruiter will assume you’re proficient in the language your resume is written in. So, if you’re living and working in the US , and your resume’s written in English, there’s no need to specifically underline that skill. It’s a given.

Our advice is to include a dedicated language section. You don’t want your language skills to get lost; you want to make them as visible as possible. If language proficiency is essential to the job you’re after, create a specific section where you list all the languages you know, along with your fluency levels. Our resume builder  allows you to be as concise as you want and customize the language section to fit your needs.

You might see some advice on incorporating your language skills throughout your resume. This might be effective for positions where languages aren’t a priority or a top-wanted skill, but be aware that they could easily get lost among your other abilities and accomplishments. Still, it can save space on your resume without underrating the skill. Here’s how you could approach this:

• In your experience section, e.g., “Conducted training sessions in both English and Spanish to support a diverse team of new hires”.
• In your education section – when you have a degree in Linguistics, Languages, or Literature.

If you’ve opted for a separate language section, make it concise but catchy. You just need the language and the level of fluency. The trick is to creatively visualize your proficiency. The Enhancv resume builder has five different styles you can use to present your language skills.

When crafting this section, follow these tips:

• List languages by proficiency:  Start with the ones you’re most proficient in. In most cases, skip languages you only know at beginner/elementary level. These can add color to your resume, but they’re not really helpful in a work setting.
• Mention context of use:  Detail contexts where you've utilized the language, like "Used in international conferences" or "Daily communication with overseas clients."
• Avoid overstatement: Be honest about your proficiency. Overstating your skills  can lead to uncomfortable situations in professional settings.
• Use standard proficiency levels:  Use widely recognized proficiency levels like "Native," "Intermediate," "Professional Working Proficiency," and "Limited Working Proficiency."

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Marking the level of fluency in a language is similar to quantifying your achievements  in different resume headings. The recruiter needs a tangible way of judging your ability. Let’s review the most popular frameworks:

LinkedIn Framework

LinkedIn’s scale is based on, and is very similar to, the IRL (Interagency Language Round-table) scale , developed by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute. It measures language proficiency in terms of work settings, so its levels are, as follows:

• Native or bilingual proficiency
• Full professional proficiency
• Professional working proficiency
• Limited working proficiency
• Elementary proficiency

Take a look at this sample language proficiency section:

The IRL scale is mainly used when applying for US government jobs. Its levels (from 0 – 5, where 5 is Native) correspond to the levels on LinkedIn.

ACTFL Proficiency Framework

This scale  assesses the ability to use language to accomplish communication objectives in real-world situations, with specific criteria for accuracy, context and content, and text type. Here are the levels it works with:

• Distinguished
• Intermediate

These scales are widely recognized by recruiters in the US, so choose the one you feel more comfortable with. But what if you’re based outside the States? Then, we recommend this one:

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

CEFR is an internationally recognized standard  for describing language ability. It outlines what learners can do in speaking, reading, listening, and writing at each level. It’s widely recognized across Europe but currently gaining popularity in other countries as well. Here’s an overview of its levels:

• C2 (Proficiency)
• C1 (Advanced)
• B2 (Upper Intermediate)
• B1 (Intermediate)
• A2 (Elementary)
• A1 (Beginner)

Again, just remember that if you’re coming from Europe but are applying for a job in the US, you should use the LinkedIn/IRL or the ACTFL framework.

And here’s a quick recap of what each level represents. Note that the CERF doesn’t measure native proficiency, as it’s mainly designed for learners of foreign languages.

• Native or bilingual proficiency/Distinguished: This means you’ve grown up speaking the language, using it throughout your life, and refining your abilities through formal education.
• Full professional proficiency/Superior/C2: You can read, write, and speak a language smoothly and without hesitation.
• Professional working proficiency/Advanced/C1: You can speak, write, and read a language comfortably for your role, though you might struggle with colloquialisms and occasionally need repetition.
• Limited working proficiency/Intermediate/B1-B2: Intermediate language skill means you can hold conversations and read adequately in the language, but you speak with some difficulty and have a limited vocabulary.
• Elementary proficiency/Novice/A1-A2: You can understand basic words or phrases but can’t hold a conversation. We recommend you don’t list this one on your resume.

What’s essential in listing your language skills is being fair about your fluency level. You don’t want to list an intermediate language level if you can only ask for coffee or say a few phrases.

And if you list your skills as advanced or above, be prepared to answer a few questions or hold a conversation in that specific language. You never know – perhaps the recruiter will be fluent and in the mood for a little bit of practice!

Forgetting to update LinkedIn

If you’re discussing your language skills on your resume, be sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date, too.

One advantage of updating your language skills on LinkedIn is you can have colleagues provide recommendations and references of your ability in this skill.

Forgetting to include your mother tongue

Add your native language, alongside the foreign languages you know. Otherwise, you’ll confuse recruiters, especially if you’re applying for a job abroad.

Don't mix and match different language frameworks

Consistency is important. Don’t list one of your language levels as “Professional working proficiency”, and the other as “Intermediate.”

Use the most relevant language framework

If you’re based in the US, choose the LinkedIn, IRL, or ACTFL scale. In Europe, go with the CERF levels.

How to demonstrate language skills?

You can show your fluency on your resume with examples of how you’ve used the languages you’re proficient in. This could be a portfolio of work samples in different languages, or any certificates, awards, and diplomas. For cover letters , real-life examples are your best bet.

What language level is considered fluent?

Depending on the framework you use, a person with an advanced level of proficiency or someone with a professional working proficiency or above will be considered fluent.

Is proficient better than fluent?

Fluency refers to the flow of your speech, the ability to speak comfortably and consistently. In other words, being fluent means being able to carry out a conversation without much hesitation. Proficiency, on the other hand, is the ability to comprehend and accurately produce content, so it refers mainly to reading and writing. It is highly valued in jobs that require a precise use of language, such as an academic setting. So, to answer the question, one is not necessarily better than the other, because they refer to different things. We recommend using “proficient” on your resume, as it’s the word recognized by the most popular frameworks.

How to check language proficiency?

You can look up local language centers – most test your language skills for free if you’re interested in enrolling in a course. Some even have language proficiency checkers online!

Can you have two native languages on a resume?

Yes, of course! Being bilingual will definitely impress recruiters. You can list all the languages you speak natively.

How to list programming languages?

Speaking of languages, you might wonder about programming ones. Programming skills refer to the ability to write, test, and maintain code that enables software applications to function. Some of the most popular programming languages include Python, Java, and C++, each used for various purposes. Knowledge of one programming language can often help you learn others quickly. As with other skills, list your programming languages in a dedicated "Skills" section on your resume. If you can, give context to past projects or work experience (like a GitHub portfolio) to demonstrate practical application and expertise.

What is the most important language skill?

The answer to this question is individual to your situation. What do you need the language for? To read documents or to have conversations? Are you going to communicate orally with clients? Do you know the etiquette and turns of phrase to talk to your coworkers in their native language? Understanding your specific needs and context will help determine whether reading, writing, speaking, or listening is the most crucial language skill for you to focus on for the specific job you’re applying for.

Your multilanguage magic can open doors with every word you know! We hope the tips in our guide will help you in proudly list your language skills on your resume. It’s inspiring to think about the myriad of cool things you can do with another language in your arsenal.

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Resume Language Skills: How to Describe and List Language Proficiency Levels on Resume

In a globalized world, where organizations often operate in multiple countries, language skills have become an invaluable asset for job seekers. Including your language proficiency levels on your resume can help set you apart from other candidates, showcasing your ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments.

In this article, we will discuss how to describe and list language proficiency levels on your resume, when to include them, and some mistakes to avoid.

• How to Describe Language Proficiency Levels on a Resume

When describing your language proficiency levels on a resume, it's important to use standardized terminology to convey your abilities accurately. The most common scale used is the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale, which categorizes language skills into five levels:

Elementary Proficiency (ILR Level 1)

At this level, you can understand and use basic phrases and expressions related to common, everyday situations. You can introduce yourself and others, ask and answer simple questions, and engage in brief conversations on familiar topics. However, your vocabulary is limited, and you may struggle with more complex grammar and sentence structures.

Limited Working Proficiency (ILR Level 2)

With limited working proficiency, you can understand and communicate in routine social and work situations. You can discuss your background, education, and work experience, as well as describe and compare objects, people, and places. While you may still make grammatical errors and have difficulty understanding complex or idiomatic language, you can generally handle tasks related to travel, shopping, and daily life.

Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3)

At this level, you can understand and communicate effectively in most professional and social situations. You can participate in extended conversations, discuss abstract or complex topics, and provide detailed explanations. While you may still have a foreign accent or make occasional errors, you can generally comprehend spoken and written language in various contexts and interact with native speakers without significant difficulty.

Full Professional Proficiency (ILR Level 4)

With full professional proficiency, you can understand and use the language fluently and accurately in virtually all professional and social contexts, including specialized and technical subjects. You can comprehend idiomatic expressions, slang, and cultural references, as well as produce written and spoken language that is well-organized, coherent, and stylistically appropriate. At this level, your language skills are equivalent to those of a highly-educated native speaker.

Native or Bilingual Proficiency (ILR Level 5)

This level indicates that you have native-like fluency and can understand, speak, read, and write the language with complete ease. You have a deep understanding of cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and regional dialects, and you can communicate effectively in both formal and informal situations. Bilingual proficiency means that you have native-like fluency in two languages.

• Should You List Language Skills on a Resume?

Including language skills on your resume can be advantageous in several situations, as they can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments. Here are some scenarios when it's a good idea to list language skills on your resume:

• When the job posting specifically mentions a required language

In this case, highlighting your language proficiency can directly contribute to meeting the job requirements, significantly increasing your overall chances of being considered for the vacant position. 2. When applying to a company that operates in multiple countries Companies with a global presence often value employees who can communicate with clients or colleagues from different backgrounds. By showcasing your language skills, you demonstrate your ability to adapt and contribute to an international work environment. 3. When your language skills complement your other skills For example, if you're a customer support specialist who is fluent in a language spoken by a significant portion of the company's clients, your language skills may improve customer satisfaction and retention.

When Not to Include Language Skills on a Resume

While language skills can be an asset, there are a couple of instances when including them on your resume may not actually be beneficial or necessary:

• When your language proficiency is at a very basic level

If your language skills are limited to basic greetings and phrases, they may not be valuable enough to include on your resume. Employers are typically more interested in candidates with a functional level of proficiency that can be utilized in a professional setting. 2. When the job posting does not mention any language requirements In this case, listing your language skills may not add significant value to your resume. Focus on emphasizing your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments instead.

• Where to List Language Proficiency Levels on Resume

The placement of your language proficiency levels on your resume typically depends on its format and layout. Some of the most common locations include:

Skills Section

Including your language proficiency levels alongside other relevant skills can help create a comprehensive overview of your abilities. This approach is particularly suitable for functional or combination resume formats that emphasize skills over chronological work history.

Additional Information Section

Creating a separate section at the end of your resume to list your language proficiency levels can be an effective way to highlight your language skills without detracting from your core qualifications. This approach works well for chronological resume formats.

Education Section

If you have formal language training or certifications (e.g., a degree in a foreign language or a recognized language examination certificate), you can include your proficiency levels in the Education section of your resume. This approach can help demonstrate your commitment to learning and mastering a language.

• How to List Language Skills on a Resume (with Examples)

When listing language skills on your resume, it's essential to use clear and concise wording. Here are some examples for different proficiency levels: Elementary Proficiency: "Spanish - Elementary Proficiency (ILR Level 1)" Limited Working Proficiency: "French - Limited Working Proficiency (ILR Level 2)" Professional Working Proficiency: "Japanese - Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3)" Full Professional Proficiency: "Chinese - Full Professional Proficiency (ILR Level 4)" Native or Bilingual Proficiency: "English - Native Proficiency (ILR Level 5)"

• Common Mistakes to Avoid While Listing Language Skills on Resume

To ensure that your resume accurately and effectively showcases your language skills, you should avoid these common mistakes:

Overstating Your Language Proficiency

Be honest about your abilities to avoid any potential issues in the future. Exaggerating your language skills may lead to misunderstandings or even jeopardize your credibility if your language abilities are tested during an interview or on the job.

Using Ambiguous Terminology

Stick to standardized terminology, such as the ILR scale or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), to ensure clarity and avoid confusion. Non-standard terms like "intermediate" or "advanced" can be vague and may not accurately convey your proficiency level.

Listing Irrelevant Languages

Only include languages relevant to the position or industry. Including too many languages or languages that have no bearing on the job can make your resume appear unfocused or cluttered. Instead, prioritize languages that are directly related to the position or demonstrate your ability to work in a diverse, global environment.

• Proficient vs Fluent on Resume

"Proficient" and "fluent" are often used interchangeably on resumes, but they represent different levels of language proficiency. In the context of the ILR scale, "proficient" typically refers to Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3), while "fluent" corresponds to Full Professional Proficiency (ILR Level 4). Ensure you accurately represent your language skills by using the appropriate term for your proficiency level.

• Conversational vs Fluent on Resume

"Conversational" is another term frequently used on resumes to describe language proficiency. It generally indicates a level of language skill that allows for casual communication, falling between Limited Working Proficiency (ILR Level 2) and Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3). If you choose to use "conversational" on your resume, make sure it accurately reflects your language abilities and the requirements of the position.

• How to Determine Your Language Proficiency Level for Resume

If you want to accurately determine your language proficiency level, then you should consider each of the following factors: Formal training and education: Reflect on your language courses and certifications, as they can provide a benchmark for your proficiency level. Professional experience: If you have used a language in a professional setting, evaluate the complexity of the tasks and the level of communication required. Self-assessment: Be honest with yourself when evaluating your reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in a given language. Use the ILR scale descriptions as a guide to determine your level of proficiency.

• Key Takeaways

Including language proficiency levels on your resume can be a valuable addition when applying for positions that require or prefer multilingual candidates. By using standardized terminology, accurately assessing your proficiency, and strategically placing this information on your resume, you can effectively showcase your language skills and increase your chances of landing the job.

Maggie Horne

Content Manager & Resume Expert

Maggie is the Content Manager at VisualCV, with years of experience creating easy-to-understand resume guides, blogs, and career marketing content. Now, she loves helping people learn how to leverage their skills to start their dream jobs.

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How to List Language Skills on a Resume

10 min read · Updated on August 20, 2024

Here's how to list language skills on your resume to give you an edge.

As globalization has increased in recent decades, language skills have become an important asset for job seekers in many industries. And since many employers actively look for candidates who are multilingual, knowing how to list language skills on a resume is more important than ever.

In this post, we'll explain when to include language skills on a resume, provide guidance to properly describe your proficiency level, and show you how to list language skills on your resume the right way.

Should you always include your language skills on a resume?

While some would argue that the decision to include language skills on a resume depends on the nature of the job you are seeking, many resume experts agree that real language proficiencies are always relevant. So, as a rule, you should always add them to your resume. The only real question is how much prominence you should give to those skills. Consider these factors when determining the amount of resume space that you want to devote to any given language skill:

Is a specific language skill a job requirement? If so, then you will want to highlight it in a separate section, describing your level of proficiency and experience using it. If not, then you can probably just add it to your other skills within your skill section .

Are you really proficient in the language? Remember, true proficiency includes being able to speak, read, and write the language. If you only have a passing familiarity with a foreign language, you should think about just how useful it will really be in your chosen job.

Research the company to get an idea of its exposure to foreign customers and business partners. If the firm's business activities might include dealing with people who speak your second language, could help set you apart from your competition.

How should you describe your level of language proficiency?

As you learn how to list language skills on your resume, one of the most important things you need to understand is the proper way to describe your level of proficiency in that tongue. 

There are several different proficiency level standards in use today, but the one used by LinkedIn may be the simplest to understand. It also just happens to be based on the U.S. Foreign Service Institute's Interagency Language Round-table scale (ILR), so it has broad application around the world. Its levels include, from highest to lowest proficiency:

Native/Bilingual

A person with this level of proficiency typically speaks the language as a second native language or has many years of regular usage of the tongue and is 100% fluent and accent-free.

Full professional proficiency

If your knowledge of the language enables you to easily converse in the language with only relatively minor missteps and a little bit of an accent, you can claim this level of proficiency.

Professional working proficiency

While not quite as proficient as the full professional level, this level of comfort with the language can still enable you to be a valuable part of conversations with foreign clients and coworkers.

Limited working proficiency

This level of language proficiency can be claimed by anyone who is able to conduct limited conversations in the language but who requires some assistance to navigate more complex interactions.

Elementary proficiency

This is the lowest level of actual proficiency and typically indicates the ability to speak and understand simple sentences. Basically, it is beginner-level knowledge.

No proficiency/Novice

If you only know a few words of a language, you have no proficiency. You also should avoid mentioning the language on your resume.

As you consider which category your proficiency aligns with, remember to be honest with yourself. You should strive to be as accurate as possible in your level selection, since hiring managers and companies are likely to quickly discover the truth if you exaggerate too much. 

At the same time, make sure that you are not underestimating your skills either, especially if you are simply concerned that your language proficiency has declined from lack of use. In most instances, a language skill can be easily restored once you begin to use it again.

Where should you include your language proficiencies on a resume?

The next question is “Where on your resume should I list those language skills?”. As it turns out, there are several places where you can choose to list those language skills, including the education or skills section , or in its own section. The choice will depend on how important the skill is for the job you are seeking, and the number of languages that you know.

Skills section: if it's an additional skill

In cases where the job makes no mention of the need for language proficiency, you may want to simply include that skill within your skills section. That way, the employer will be made aware of your level of fluency in a second (or third) language, but you won't waste valuable space on your resume that can be devoted to more relevant abilities and experiences.

Language Skills section: if the job requires that language

On the other hand if the job requires you to be able to communicate in that language, you should consider highlighting it in its own “Language Skills” section. A brief language skills section can help to ensure that your proficiency gets noticed. Simply place that section after your other core resume sections, including information about the level of your proficiency. If you studied the language in school, include that study in your education section.

Resume Summary: if you have extensive experience using the language

Finally, you may also want to include mention of your proficiency in your resume summary when the language is a job requirement. If so, then you can also include a brief mention of any extensive experience you have had using the language in a professional setting, or if you lived in that part of the world for any length of time. For example,

Bilingual marketing executive with 10 years of experience working in the Costa Rica field office.

How to list language skills on your resume

The final step in learning how to list language skills on your resume is to figure out the format needed for those listings. As noted earlier, a non-relevant language skill can just be added as another bullet point in your skills section. But for essential job-related language skills, you will want to know how to list language skills on your resume in a way that highlights their importance. 

How to list language skills in a language skills section

Obviously, the easiest way to do that is to create a Language Skills section. While some may argue that a separate section is only needed if you know multiple foreign languages, we suggest using one even if you only have one proficiency other than your native tongue. That separate section will enable you to include the language, level of proficiency, and some detail about your experience using the language.

Language Skills

English - Native (ILR Level 5)

Spanish – Bilingual (ILR Level 5) – 10 years continuous usage in Costa Rica field office

Mandarin Chinese – Professional working proficiency (ILR Level 3) – Two years usage in Beijing office

The above example provides the reader with necessary details about your language proficiencies, while also briefly describing your real-world experience with those languages. That can be a quick and simple way to convey that experience to an employer without taking up too much space in your resume. 

Note, though, that you should only list your proficiency in English if you are applying for a role with a company outside of the U.S. As a rule, most hiring managers will assume that you are proficient in English if that's the language used for your resume!

You may have also noticed that each listing includes a reference to the Interagency Language Round-table scale (ILR) and the proficiency ranking. Including that information in your resume can be a great way to demonstrate your understanding of language proficiency and helps the reader to know which scale you are referring to as you describe your expertise.

How to list language skills in your education section

 If you studied overseas and developed a language skill at a university in another country, you should include that information in your education section . Be sure to include details about the university, its location, how long you studied there, and what you achieved. For example

Name of University, City and country, Dates of study

Name of Degree and your Major

Completed [duration] year(s) of study, including study of [language]

When and how to list language skills in your experience section

If you have worked in a job where you utilized your language skills on a regular basis, you may also want to highlight that fact within your work experience section . While this should be obvious if any of your jobs were overseas, it may also be useful if your work has included roles where you regularly interacted with foreign language speakers. For example, that work experience listing might look like this:

Global Company Name

Your Job Title

Start Date to End Date

Led a 10-person team responsible for onboarding new customers in the Chinese market, boosting contract success rate by 15%, and expediting onboarding process times by 20%.

Oversaw activity on the company's Chinese outreach social media accounts, increasing customer interactions by 25%.

Developed multiple new product and service strategies in Mandarin that were used during new partnership launches between [date] and [date]

Know how to list language on a resume for maximum impact

In a world that seems to be getting smaller and more interconnected every day, the ability to speak, write, and understand different languages can make you a valuable commodity for many companies.  As a result, you should never be afraid to leverage that proficiency in a resume to ensure that your language skills are on prominent display. With this guide, you can learn how to list language skills on a resume in a way that ensures hiring managers instantly recognize your potential value for their company.

Not sure how to proceed with your resume or still struggling to figure out how to list language skills on your resume? Get a free resume review from our experts at TopResume today and learn how our professional resume writers can help you create the compelling resume you need to secure interviews and land a great job!

Recommended Reading:

How to Speed Up the Resume-Writing Process

Standout Skills for a Resume: How to Make Your Resume Great

How to Tailor Your Resume to a Specific Job Description

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See how your resume stacks up.

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How To List Languages on a Resume by Skill Level

3 key takeaways

• Your resume language skills describe your proficiency in writing and speaking different languages.
• Many employers show a preference for candidates who know multiple languages.
• Teal's Resume Builder can help you easily list your language abilities in your skills section, professional summary, work history, or all of the above.

When nine out of 10 employers say they rely on employees that speak a language other than English, including your language skills can be a competitive differentiator—provided you know how to list them levels on a resume.

This guide covers what language skills are, why it’s worth listing them on your resume, and how (and where) to include them on your document.

Struggling to land interviews? Try Teal’s ​​free AI resume builder .

What are resume language skills?

Your resume language skills describe your proficiency in different languages—both spoken and written, highlighting your language fluency. On your resume, you’ll list:

1. The language

Example: German ‍

2. Your level of language proficiency

Example: Professional proficiency

Listing your knowledge of foreign languages on your resume calls attention to your ability to communicate in multiple languages, which can be helpful in roles where you’ll interact with diverse clients, coworkers, vendors, or business partners.

How to list languages on your resume

With that groundwork in place, here’s a closer look at the steps to follow to write language skills on your resume:

1. Review the job description

When you’re figuring out how to make a resume , tailoring your document to a specific job description is the most important thing. Return to the job posting to review it with a fine-tooth comb and ask:

• Does the job description include language skills?
• If so, does it mention specific languages?
• Is the employer looking for a specific level of language proficiency?

If you don’t want to scan the job description yourself, Teal’s Matching Mode will surface important keywords and qualifications directly from the job posting so you have a better idea of what to include on your resume.

Your answers to the above questions will help you determine which languages to include and how to list them appropriately.

2. Identify your relevant language skills

After you review the job ad, determine which language abilities to include on your resume. With the job description as your guide, ask yourself:

• Do I speak and write the employer’s desired language(s)?
• Do I possess the desired proficiency level and language fluency?

If your answer to both of those questions is “yes,” then that language is worth listing on your resume.

If the job description says the employer is looking for bilingual employees or multilingual candidates but doesn’t mention a specific language, list all of your known languages and relevant proficiency levels to highlight your language skills.

3. Choose the appropriate resume section

Now for the big question: Where are you supposed to list languages on your resume? 

You can include your languages in each of these resume sections:

• Skills section

List your languages and proficiency level in your resume skills section along with your other hard skills and soft skills.

In the skill section of Teal’s Resume Builder, click to add a new skill. You can sort them in alphabetical order or turn off that toggle and click and drag your skills into the order you want them to appear.

• Professional summary

If the employer specifically mentions being multilingual or a particular language, include your language skills in your resume summary so they’re featured prominently.

In Teal, click “Add Professional Summary” (or edit and existing one) to incorporate your language skills in your paragraph. Use the checkboxes to select which of your summaries to include on your resume.

• Work experience

If you used your language skills heavily in a previous job, include that information with your work experience bullet points to show how you’ve applied your language learning in a professional context.

In Teal’s Work Experience section, click “Add Achievement” or edit an existing bullet point to incorporate your language skills. You can also click the “Write with AI” button to automatically generate your bullet points with AI.

Dedicated language skills section

If you speak more than two languages, you can create a languages skills section that’s dedicated to your language abilities and proficiency levels.

Use Skills Categories in Teal to create a category for languages and drag your language skills into that category so they’re grouped together on your resume.

If the employer takes the time to include language skills in the job posting, it’s also worth mentioning your language skills in your cover letter.

An easy way to do this is to match a full job title and description to your resume and Teal’s AI Cover Letter Generator will write a cover letter for you.

4. Write your language and skill level

Once you’ve figured out all of the above, knowing how to write language skills on your resume is pretty straightforward. When including languages in your skills section (whether it’s your resume skills section or a dedicated language section), you’ll list your language and proficiency level like this:

When listing languages in your professional summary or resume bullet points , you’ll need to provide a little more detail. You can see what that looks like in the examples included in the following section.

Resume language skills examples

Here are examples of how to list language skills in the four different resume sections mentioned earlier:

• Language skills section

Resume language skills example: Skills section

Resume language skills example: Professional summary

TIP: If you’re struggling to write your own professional summary, Teal's Resume Summary Generator will automatically write a summary for you within seconds.

Resume language skills example: Work experience section

TIP: Teal’s Resume Bullet Point Generator will create impactful, metric-driven bullet points to highlight your biggest career achievements.

Resume language skills example: Language skill category

You can assign skill categories in Teal’s Resume Builder to group all of your skills by level, language, or any other category that makes sense.

Click “Add a Category” to create a new skills grouping and then drag your skills to the appropriate spot.

Should you include languages on your resume?

Here’s the short answer: yes. If you speak or write languages outside of your native language, those are helpful to include on your resume.

Benefits of including a foreign language (or languages) on your resume:

• Competitive advantage: While speaking a second or third language might seem natural to you, it’s not a skill many candidates possess. Your language abilities can help you stand out from other applicants.
• Cultural awareness: Particularly with more remote and hybrid work arrangements, work environments are becoming increasingly diverse. Comprehension of different languages demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
• Higher salary: 40% of multilingual employees say their language skills not only helped them land their jobs, but that they also led to earning 19% more than single-language speakers.

Which languages should you include on your resume?

There’s a lot to gain when you include language skills on your resume. But that doesn’t mean you should include Spanish or French just because you took a year of each in High School. At this point, those basic language courses won’t do much to benefit your career.

How to determine which languages to include on your resume:

• What is your language skill level? Including a foreign language on your resume indicates to the employer that you have current working proficiency with that language—meaning they’ll expect you can at least engage in basic written or verbal conversations. Only include a language if your skill level is proficient. You don’t need to be fluent, but you do need to be able to communicate at a basic level.
• How relevant are language skills to the job? Is speaking a second language pertinent to that position? Or does the position not require much foreign language use, communication with diverse groups, or people skills in general? Think about how pertinent your language skills are to the role.
• Does the job ask for specific languages? Similarly, take a close look at the job description (or use Teal to automate this for you) to see if the posting mentions several languages, desired foreign language levels, or specific languages the employer is looking for. If you possess what the company is specifically asking for, you can list language skills accordingly.

One more important thing to remember: You do not need to list the language your resume is written in, as your resume itself indicates you are fluent in that language. For example, if your resume is written in English, you don’t need to list English in your language skills section.

Understanding language proficiency levels

Noting your level of language proficiency on your resume helps employers understand how well you’re able to communicate in a specific language. But pinpointing your own level of proficiency can feel murky. Fortunately, you can refer to a language proficiency scale to determine your skill level.

Most popular language proficiency frameworks:

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
• Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR)
• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

And while LinkedIn isn’t necessarily a formal language proficiency framework, it’s another common option people use when defining their language skills on their profiles. Here’s a quick comparison of the language proficiency levels in each of these scales:

Not sure how to choose which language proficiency framework to use on your resume? Your safest bet is to choose one that uses words instead of numbers to describe your skill level. A hiring manager might not understand what “B2” means for your proficiency level, while “professional working proficiency” is unmistakable. 

That said, if the job description mentions a specific proficiency level using one of the other scales, default to that scale to define your own language skills on a resume.

How to determine your language proficiency level

The above scales are helpful for understanding each language level—but it can still be hard to determine where your own skills fall on the spectrum. How can you tell if you have professional working proficiency or full professional proficiency? 

Strategies to define your proficiency with foreign languages:

• Take online assessments: Many of the proficiency scales also offer resources and assessments to help you. Check out the CEFR self-assessment grids or the ACTFL can-do statements to get a better idea of your skill level.
• Review detailed descriptions: The chart above was a quick overview of the different scales. Each one offers detailed descriptions of each proficiency level. Those are worth checking out to get a clearer idea of what’s required to satisfy each skill level.
• Practice with native speakers: You can also put yourself to the test by exchanging messages or engaging in a conversation with proficient or fluent speakers. That’ll give you a solid idea of how capable you are of applying your language skills in the “real world.”

Struggling to keep your skills (or languages) straight on your resume? You can assign skill categories in Teal’s Resume Builder to group all of your skills by level, language, or any other category that makes sense.

Common mistakes to avoid when listing languages on your resume

You’re ready to list language skills on your resume. As you do so, keep an eye out for these three common mistakes:

• Skipping proficiency level: It’s not enough to just list a language. Include your language level to let employers know your proficiency. Make sure to stick with a consistent scale too. It’s confusing to hiring managers when you describe your skill level as “Intermediate” with one language and “Limited Working Proficiency” with another.
• Overstating proficiency: Lies have no place on your resume—and that includes your language skills. Be honest about your proficiency with each foreign language.
• Using design elements: While some resume writers might recommend using fancy graphics or charts to show your skill level, those design elements are difficult for resume parsers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process. Stick with simple text instead.

Use Teal to highlight your language skills

Whether you’re fluent or a conversational speaker, listing language skills on your resume is a great way to stand out from other job seekers—especially if the role requires using more than one language.

Teal’s Resume Builder can help you clearly include language skills on your resume with:

• AI features to automatically generate your resume summary and your metric-driven achievements to include with your work history
• Skills categories to organize and list your hard skills, soft skills, and languages 
• Matching Mode to compare your resume to the job description and identify other keywords (or languages) to include on your document

Ready to get started? Sign up for Teal .

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you list language proficiency on a resume.

There are several common language proficiency scales you can reference to understand your skill level and list your actual proficiency, accordingly. You’ll list your proficiency right next to the language.

How do you put that you are bilingual on a resume?

You can mention you’re bilingual in your professional summary, skills section, or in your work experience bullet points. Make sure to get specific about the language(s) you know and your proficiency level with each.

What are the four levels of language proficiency?

Different proficiency scales use different levels. In general, you can use all the languages in following four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and fluent.

Your resume language skills describe your proficiency to speak and write in different languages.

What’s the best way to describe bilingual skills on a resume?

Choose a standard proficiency scale and then stick with that when describing your language skills on your resume. For example, you might describe yourself as conversational, intermediate, proficient, fluent, or a native speaker.

Kat Boogaard

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Languages on Your Resume: How to Include Them in 2024

When it comes to creating a polished and effective resume, one crucial element to consider is adding language skills. In today’s globalized job market, being bilingual or multilingual can give you a significant edge over other applicants.

For those unfamiliar with how to showcase language proficiency, we will provide a brief definition of the different types of language skills commonly listed on resumes. This article will explore the importance of language skills in the current job market and offer tips on how to include them effectively in your resume.

Definition of Languages on Your Resume

There are four primary categories when it comes to identifying language proficiency on a resume:

Bilingual  means you are fluent in two languages, with the ability to speak, read, and write with a high level of proficiency.

Native  means you grew up speaking a language and have complete fluency in it.

Fluent  means you have a thorough understanding of the language, can speak it with ease, and have a strong hold over grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.

Basic  means you have a fundamental understanding of the language, can understand it in its spoken and written form, and can carry on a simple conversation.

Importance of Language Skills in Today’s Job Market

Today’s job market demands an increasingly diverse set of skills and experiences from job seekers. Being multi-lingual can set you apart from others, enhance your competitiveness, and increase your chances of career growth and mobility.

Knowing a foreign language enables individuals to interact better with culturally diverse clients, which is essential in many industries where consumers expect and appreciate personalized treatment. Additionally, language abilities provide employers with the confidence that you can be an asset in the global marketplace.

Assessing Your Language Skills

When it comes to including languages on your resume, it is important to accurately assess your language proficiency. This will not only help you choose the right words to describe your skills, but it will also help potential employers understand the level of proficiency you have.

Self-Assessment: How to Evaluate Your Language Proficiency

Self-assessing your language proficiency can be done through a variety of methods, including self-evaluation, language proficiency tests, and language exchange programs. Self-evaluation involves reflecting on your ability to speak, read, write, and understand a language. Language proficiency tests, such as the TOEFL or TOEIC, can provide an official assessment of your language skills. Language exchange programs involve conversing with a native speaker to assess and improve your language proficiency.

When self-assessing your language proficiency, it is important to be honest and reflective. Consider the following questions:

• Can you hold a conversation in the language?
• Can you read and understand written material in the language?
• Can you write in the language?
• Can you understand and accurately use grammar rules in the language?
• Can you understand the language spoken at a native level?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The CEFR is a framework for language proficiency that is widely recognized in Europe and beyond. It provides a standard for evaluating language proficiency across six levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient). When including your language skills on your resume, using the CEFR can provide potential employers with a clear understanding of your proficiency level.

Choosing the Right Words to Describe Your Language Skills

When describing your language skills on your resume, it is important to use the right words to accurately convey your proficiency level. Some common words used to describe language proficiency include:

• Intermediate

However, it is important to note that these terms can be interpreted differently by different people. To provide a more accurate understanding of your language skills, consider including your CEFR level or a brief explanation of your abilities.

Accurately assessing and describing your language skills is crucial when including them on your resume. Use self-assessment methods, consider the CEFR framework, and choose the right words to convey your proficiency level to potential employers.

Types of Languages to Include on Your Resume

When it comes to creating your resume, language skills can be a major asset. Though the exact list of languages to include may vary depending on your industry and the location of the position you are applying for, there are generally three types of languages that can help make your resume stand out.

Mother Tongue

Your mother tongue, or first language, should be prominently featured on your resume. This shows that you have a strong command of the language used in your home country, which can be a significant advantage in many industries. Make sure to mention any certifications or awards you have received for your language skills, as this can help demonstrate your expertise.

Second Languages

Second languages are languages you have studied and become proficient in, but are not your mother tongue. Depending on the industry you are in, a second language could be a major asset. For example, a job in international business might require fluency in a language other than your first language. Even if the position you are applying for doesn’t require it, being proficient in another language demonstrates your ability to learn, adapt, and communicate effectively.

Foreign Languages

Foreign languages are those that are not commonly spoken in your country or region. These skills are highly valuable in global businesses and organizations, and may give you an edge over other applicants. Fluency in a foreign language shows that you have a deep understanding of the culture and language of another country, which can be highly valued in today’s globalized world.

When including language skills on your resume, it’s important to be honest about your level of proficiency. If you are unsure of your abilities, it’s best to err on the side of caution and indicate that you have basic proficiency or are still in the process of learning. Additionally, be sure to tailor your language skills section to the specific position you are applying for. For example, if the job is based in Spain, highlighting your fluency in Spanish will be much more relevant than highlighting fluency in French.

Highlighting your language skills can be a key factor in helping your resume stand out from the crowd. By emphasizing your mother tongue, second languages, and foreign languages, you can demonstrate your expertise and your ability to communicate effectively in a globalized world.

How to List Languages on Your Resume

As someone who speaks more than one language, you possess an invaluable skill that can make you stand out on your resume. However, it’s important to know how to effectively list your language skills in order to make the best impression on potential employers. In this section, we’ll cover four tips for including languages on your resume: choosing the right resume format, including language skills in your summary or objective statement, listing languages in your skills section, and mentioning language skills in each job description.

Choosing the Right Resume Format to Showcase Your Language Skills

When it comes to listing your language skills, choosing the right resume format is key. If language skills are a significant part of the job requirements, consider using a functional resume format. This format allows you to showcase your language skills prominently at the top of the page, before your work experience. However, if your language skills are only one aspect of your qualifications, a chronological resume format may be more appropriate.

Including Language Skills in Your Summary/Objective Statement

Your summary or objective statement is the first thing potential employers will read on your resume. Including your language skills in this section can catch their attention and make them more interested in learning more about you. For example, you could write: “Multilingual professional with fluency in English, Spanish, and French seeking a position in international business.” This statement highlights your language skills and gives employers an idea of what you’re looking for in a job.

Listing Languages in Your Skills Section

Another option for showcasing your language skills is to list them in your skills section. When listing your language skills, be sure to specify your proficiency level (e.g. native speaker, proficient, intermediate, basic) and any relevant certifications (e.g. TOEFL, DELE, JLPT). You can also include any specific dialects or variations of a language that you know (e.g. British English vs. American English).

Mentioning Language Skills in Each Job Description

Finally, when describing your work experience, don’t forget to mention your language skills if they were relevant to your job responsibilities. For example, if you worked as a customer service representative at a global corporation and had to communicate with clients in their native languages, emphasize this in your job description. This shows employers that you not only have language skills, but that you have practical experience using them in a professional setting.

Including your language skills on your resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market. By following these four tips, you can effectively showcase your language skills and make a strong impression on potential employers.

Ranking Your Language Proficiency

When including your language skills on your resume, it’s essential to rank them accurately to demonstrate your level of proficiency to potential employers. Here are the steps to follow:

Understanding the Levels of Language Proficiency: A1 to C2

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is used to describe language proficiency levels in various languages. It is used worldwide to standardize language learning, teaching, and assessment. CEFR has six levels, ranging from A1 for beginners to C2 for proficient users.

• A1 – Breakthrough or beginner:  Basic communicative ability that allows you to communicate in everyday situations using simple and familiar expressions.
• A2 – Waystage or elementary:  Ability to communicate in basic situations and understand simple sentences and phrases related to personal and everyday life scenarios.
• B1 – Threshold or intermediate:  Communication in a range of familiar situations and understanding the main points of clear input on familiar matters.
• B2 – Vantage or upper-intermediate:  Ability to understand and produce complex text on various topics and communicate with native speakers without much difficulty.
• C1 – Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced:  Excellent command of the language and the ability to use advanced vocabulary and a wide range of complex structures to convey complex ideas effectively.
• C2 – Mastery or proficiency:  Near-native proficiency, with the ability to understand and communicate effectively in all contexts, including academic and professional settings.

How to Rank Your Language Skills on Your Resume

To indicate your language proficiency level on your resume, you should use the following system:

• Native speaker: This means that you have spoken the language your whole life.
• Basic: You have limited knowledge of the language and can understand and speak only fundamental phrases.
• Conversational: You have adequate knowledge of the language to hold a conversation on general topics.
• Intermediate: You are fluent in the language and can communicate effectively in most situations, although there may be some areas where you struggle.
• Advanced: You have an excellent command of the language and can communicate effectively in all contexts, including professional and academic settings.
• Fluent: You are a native speaker or have near-native proficiency in the language.

Examples of Language Proficiency Ranking

Here are some examples of how you can rank your language proficiency level on your resume:

• Spanish (Native Speaker)
• French (Conversational)
• Italian (Intermediate)
• German (Advanced)
• Mandarin Chinese (Fluent)

Remember to be honest about your language skills while preparing your resume. Exaggerating your proficiency in a language could get you in trouble later on. This is especially true if you are being hired for a position that requires you to use the language regularly.

Describing Your Language Skills

Using action words to describe your language skills.

When describing your language skills on your resume, it is critical to use strong and relevant action words that will showcase your expertise in the language. Using a combination of action words and accurate terminology will demonstrate to potential employers that you have a real understanding of the language and can utilize it efficiently.

Some action words that you can use to describe your language skills are:

• Communicate

However, it is not just about using action words; your language skills section must also contain information about your proficiency level. You can’t solely rely on action words without qualifying your skill level because it won’t provide enough insight to a potential employer when evaluating you for a particular role. Therefore, you should provide proof of your skill level by mentioning standardized language tests like TOEFL or ILR, where appropriate.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Describing Your Language Skills

When it comes to describing your language skills, there are a few common mistakes that you must avoid:

Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent your proficiency level: it’s essential to be honest about your skill level. Exaggerating can lead to serious misunderstandings in communication at work, which can negatively impact your performance and reputation.

Don’t only highlight your speaking skills. Writing, reading, and listening skills are equally important in most job positions, so make sure to feature all the skills users expect from being competent in that language.

Don’t use buzzwords or cliches: phrases like “fluent in the language” or “a native speaker” are relatively subjective and can be overused by most candidates, making them less effective or informative when relevant.

Always provide context: If you have lived, worked, or studied in a country where the language is spoken, make sure to note it. It will show potential managers that you have immersed yourself in the language and are familiar with its use in a real-life setting.

Avoid exaggeration, use accurate action words, provide context, avoid banality, and highlight all the critical aspects of your language skills, and your language proficiency section in your resume will leave a great impression on the potential employers.

Adding Language Certifications on Your Resume

Adding language certifications on your resume can not only demonstrate your language skills but also give potential employers an idea of your dedication and commitment towards mastering a language. In this section, we will discuss the types of language certifications, how to add them on your resume, and provide examples of language certifications on resumes.

Types of Language Certifications

There are various types of language certifications available, with varying levels of difficulty and recognition. Some popular certifications include:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) : This certification is commonly used to assess proficiency in English language for non-native speakers. It is widely recognized by universities, employers and governments worldwide.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) : This certification is also used to assess English proficiency for non-native speakers. Like TOEFL, it is recognized and accepted by universities, employers, and governments globally.

DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) : This certification assesses proficiency in French as a foreign language. It is issued by the French Ministry of Education and is recognized internationally.

HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) : This certification assesses proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. It is widely recognized by academic institutions and employers in China.

How to Add Language Certifications on Your Resume

When adding language certifications on your resume, it is important to highlight your achievements and the level of proficiency attained. Here are some tips on how to add language certifications on your resume:

Be specific : Include the name of the certification, the level of proficiency attained, and the score obtained (if applicable).

Prioritize : If you have multiple certifications, prioritize the ones that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

Include a brief description : Include a brief description of the certification to give the reader an idea of its level of difficulty and recognition.

Place it under the education section : Place the language certification under the education section to highlight your efforts in mastering a language.

Examples of Language Certifications on Resumes

Here are some examples of how you can include language certifications on your resume:

TOEFL : TOEFL iBT, Score: 115/120, Certificate Number: 123456789

DELF : Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française, Level: B2, Certificate Number: 987654321

HSK : HSK Level 5, Score: 250/300, Certificate Number: 567891234

By including language certifications on your resume, you not only showcase your language skills but also demonstrate your ability to commit to long-term goals. Make sure to highlight your achievements and the relevance of the certification to the job you are applying for. Good luck!

Highlighting Language Skills for Specific Jobs

Your language skills can give you a competitive edge in the job market. If you know how to showcase them effectively, you can impress potential employers and land your dream job. However, it’s not enough to simply list the languages you speak on your resume. You need to tailor your language skills to the specific job you’re applying for. Here are some tips on how to highlight your language skills for three types of jobs:

Language Skills for Customer Service Jobs

If you’re applying for a customer service job, it’s likely that you’ll be interacting with customers who speak different languages. Therefore, you should highlight your language skills that match the needs of the company’s customers. For instance, if you’re applying for a job with a company that has a significant number of Spanish-speaking customers, you’ll be a more attractive candidate if you can speak Spanish fluently.

In addition to listing the languages you speak, you might want to describe your language proficiency level. For example, if you’re a native speaker of a language, you might say something like “native proficiency” or “bilingual” to describe your language skills.

Language Skills for Translators and Interpreters

If you’re applying for a job as a translator or interpreter, your language skills are obviously of paramount importance. However, it’s not enough to simply state that you’re bilingual or multilingual. You need to specify which languages you can translate or interpret.

Moreover, you might want to indicate your level of expertise in each language. For example, you can mention if you’re a certified translator or interpreter for a particular language, or if you have experience in interpreting in specific fields (e.g. legal or medical).

Language Skills for International Business Jobs

If you’re applying for a job in international business, your language skills can be an asset in communicating with clients, partners, or suppliers from different countries. However, not all international business jobs require the same language skills. For example, if you’re applying for a job in a Francophone country, you may need to be fluent in French. Meanwhile, if you’re dealing with clients in China, you may need to speak Mandarin or Cantonese.

It’s important to research the language requirements of the job you’re applying for and highlight the languages that are most relevant. Additionally, you should show how your language skills can benefit the company’s international business objectives, such as facilitating negotiations or developing new partnerships.

Highlighting your language skills for specific jobs requires a tailored approach. By emphasizing the languages that are most relevant to the job and showing your level of expertise, you can make your language skills a valuable asset in your job search.

Example Resumes Featuring Languages

Including your language skills on your resume can greatly enhance your chances of landing a job, especially if you are applying for positions that require strong communication skills or dealing with international clients.

To give you an idea of how you can present your language skills on your resume, we have provided examples for three different positions:

Example Resume for a Customer Service Position

Name:  Jane Doe Contact Info:  jane.doe.

Tips for Including Language Skills on Your Resume

If you speak more than one language, including language skills on your resume can make you stand out to potential employers, especially if the job requires bilingualism. However, it’s important to know how to properly include language skills and avoid common mistakes that can make your resume appear unprofessional.

How to Make Your Language Skills Stand Out

Here are some tips on how to make your language skills stand out on your resume:

1. Clearly state the languages you speak

Make sure to clearly state the languages you speak and your proficiency level. This can be done in a separate “Language Skills” section or under a “Skills” section. Be honest about your proficiency level and avoid over-exaggerating.

2. Provide context for your language skills

Include specific examples of how you have used your language skills in a professional setting. For example, you can mention that you have conducted business meetings in Spanish or translated documents for a French client.

3. Highlight your cultural knowledge

If you have cultural knowledge related to the language(s) you speak, make sure to highlight that as well. This can be especially relevant for jobs that involve working with diverse populations or international clients.

4. Tailor your resume to the job

If the job description mentions that bilingualism is preferred or required, make sure to highlight your language skills prominently in your resume. You can also customize your resume to include specific examples of how your language skills can benefit the company.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Including Language Skills

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when including language skills on your resume:

1. Using vague or misleading terms

Avoid using terms like “basic,” “intermediate,” or “advanced” without providing any context for what those terms mean. Instead, be specific about your proficiency level and provide examples of your language abilities.

2. Including irrelevant language skills

If a language is not relevant to the job you are applying for, it’s better to leave it off your resume. Including irrelevant language skills can make your resume appear cluttered and unfocused.

3. Not proofreading for errors

Make sure to proofread your resume for errors in spelling, grammar, or formatting. Even minor mistakes can make you appear unprofessional and careless.

What to Do if You Don’t Have Any Language Skills to Include

If you don’t speak any other languages, don’t worry! There are still ways to showcase your skills and experience on your resume. Here are some tips:

1. Highlight other skills

Focus on other skills you possess that are relevant to the job. For example, if the job requires excellent communication skills or attention to detail, make sure to highlight those skills on your resume.

2. Showcase work experience

Highlight your work experience and accomplishments.

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How to List Resume Language Skills? (Levels & Examples)

Discover how to list resume language skills and the best ways to describe your proficiency level with our range of examples and tried-and-tested tips.

The best way to list language skills on your resume depends on the job and your proficiency level. Tailor your resume to highlight how your skills meet the employer’s needs and can contribute to your future role. If the position heavily depends on using other languages, put them in a dedicated section with clear classifications, certifications, and experiences to describe your level. Simply bullet-pointing them in your skills section or a separate “Languages” section is enough if the job doesn’t mention anything about languages. 

Did you know that roughly half of the world’s population speaks two languages? Your language skills could easily set you apart from half the people in a room, giving you an impressive edge and showing your unique strengths when applying for a job. 

But how exactly should you showcase your languages on your resume? Your language abilities could be too extensive to be bullet-pointed in a skills list. But, giving them their own “Languages” section might be overkill if the position doesn’t explicitly require them. 

Language proficiency is also subjective. Being “conversational” can range from chatting about the weather to reluctantly engaging in political discussions. Recruiters don’t have time to decipher vague descriptions — you need to be clear about your skills from the get-go. 

And I’m going to show you how. This article will tell you: 

• All the language levels for a resume. 
• The best ways to describe language proficiency. 
• How to list languages on a resume. 

What Are Resume Language Skills?

Language skills on your resume include speaking, reading, and writing in different languages. It’s not just about knowing your ciao from your adiós ; it’s about how well you can communicate in another language, whether it’s having a basic chat about your pets, getting into a deep discussion, or leading negotiations with foreign clients. 

Why Do Language Skills Matter?

Speaking more than one language shows you can connect with customers and colleagues from different backgrounds — a big deal in today’s global job market. Communicating with international partners or clients in their language gives you insight into cultural customs so you can interact in a way that’s respectful and appropriate. 

Learning a new language also alludes to other soft skills . Let’s face it, filling your brain with tens of thousands of new words isn’t easy. It shows employers you’re dedicated, hardworking, patient, and not afraid of a challenge. 

When should you include language skills on your resume?

Your language level is worth mentioning if it goes beyond simple meet and greets. Even if you’re not fluent, being conversational or having a basic understanding is still impressive. 

But how much focus you place on these skills mostly hinges on the industry and position you want. Industries like international business, tourism, and customer service prioritize language skills. Multinational companies, translation services, teaching, and hospitality also often look out for multilingual candidates.

Location matters too. If you’re applying for a job in a multicultural city or a place with a large population of non-English speakers, language skills can set you apart.

So, when should you skip the language skills?

For local jobs without international interactions, avoid a dedicated section. However, mentioning them under skills can show versatility and a desire to learn.

Check out our AI Skill Explorer to explore more skills you can include on your resume. 

How to Describe Language Levels for a Resume?

Let’s start with the number one rule — accurately describing your proficiency level. Just saying “basic” or “conversational” won’t cut it. My English-speaking mom thinks I’ve mastered Spanish by simply ordering a drink at the bar — my Spanish friends would beg to differ. 

My point is: language levels can be subjective. Stick to official guidelines and frameworks, so employers can better grasp your proficiency. 

Here are the most common language frameworks: 

• ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable) : The ILR is the U.S. Federal Government’s scale for measuring language ability. It has six base levels, from no proficiency to native or bilingual. Authorized organizations use it for official language testing worldwide.
• CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) : The CEFR is an international standard for assessing language skills. It uses a six-point scale, from A1 to C2, helping teachers, learners, and employers compare language qualifications. 
• ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) : ACTFL is a membership organization with globally recognized proficiency assessments used by schools, government agencies, and businesses.

Including your language level or certification according to a specific framework helps employers accurately gauge your skills. However, not all recruiters will be familiar with the different levels or classifications. 

To clear up any confusion, I recommend opting for the popular ILR classifications like “limited working proficiency” or “professional working proficiency,” which are recognized by LinkedIn and give insight into your professional capacity. 

Here’s a breakdown of the ILR classifications, how they correspond with other frameworks, and what your level tells recruiters about your abilities: 

No proficiency 

If your language skills are limited to knowing the colors of the rainbow, you fall under “no proficiency.” You shouldn’t list this on your resume, since it’s not practically useful. Don’t pull a Joey Tribbiani and exaggerate your abilities — hiring managers will see through it in no time.

Not sure if you’re at “no proficiency” or can claim “elementary”? Here’s how to tell you’re at the former level:

• Lack of understanding of full sentences. 
• Limited or no knowledge of the language. 
• Ability to only identify a few words or phrases.
• Unable to communicate in the language. 

Elementary proficiency

“Elementary proficiency” is the lowest level of language skill. It means you can manage basic conversations and understand simple sentences. You’re at beginner level and can ask for directions, introduce yourself, and handle straightforward interactions, but anything more complex might be tough. 

Introducing yourself or discussing your likes and dislikes only gets you so far in a professional setting. Skip adding this level to your resume unless the job specifically asks for basic language skills. 

Here are the telltale signs that you have an elementary proficiency: 

• Ability to ask and answer simple questions. 
• Communication of familiar sentences and phrases. 
• Knowledge of everyday language and vocabulary. 
• Understanding of everyday tasks like asking for directions or telling the time.

Limited working proficiency

“Limited working proficiency” means you can handle basic work-related conversations in the language, but might need help with more in-depth discussions. You can get your point across and understand others in routine situations, but you might struggle with technical topics. 

Include this on your resume if your job needs basic foreign language skills or involves interactions with non-native English speakers. It’s also handy if your role requires basic communication with foreign clients or customers, such as in certain hospitality or aviation roles.

• Communication in familiar topics. 
• Ability to handle routine and work-related interactions. 
• Knowledge of basic grammar and sentence structures. 
• Understanding of casual conversations, but may struggle in group discussions.

Professional working proficiency

“Professional working proficiency” means you’re skilled enough in the language to handle business interactions. You can participate in meetings, take on negotiations, and send emails to clients and colleagues from other countries. 

Adding this to your resume shows you can contribute effectively in professional settings, bridging language gaps and making communication smoother in diverse environments. You still make mistakes, but many employers see it as enough to manage responsibilities and interactions in another language.

• Confidence in a working environment. 
• Ability to handle work-related duties and interactions. 
• Strong understanding of grammar with extensive vocabulary.
• Capacity to have everyday conversations, but may struggle with highly technical topics. 

Full Professional Proficiency

At the “Full Professional Proficiency” level, you’re fluent and accurate in using the language across all professional contexts. You can read and understand various types of written materials relevant to your field.

Recruiters see this level as a strong asset, showing you can engage in advanced discussions on a personal level, as well as technical topics like business and finance. Your extensive vocabulary and conversational ease mean you can interact with international customers and clients. 

• Ability to express yourself with little difficulty in the workplace. 
• Strong understanding of advanced text and technical documents. 
• Confidence with a range of everyday tasks and duties in another language. 
• Proficient at contributing accurately and fluently in professional conversations.

Native or bilingual proficiency

“Native or bilingual proficiency” means you’re completely fluent. You’ve nailed the grammar, can express complex ideas, and have a vast vocabulary. Whether you grew up with the language or used it extensively, you can communicate without any hiccups.

Claiming native or bilingual proficiency tells recruiters you’re ready for any professional or personal interactions. Highlight this on your resume if your job relies heavily on the language, like in translation, travel, or teaching.

• Strong understanding of complex grammar and vocabulary. 
• Excellent pronunciation with no or slight hints of an accent. 
• Proficient at speaking confidently at a normal pace without mistakes. 
• Ability to communicate with clients, customers, and colleagues with ease. 

How to List Language Skills on Your Resume?

There’s no universal rule for how to list your language skills on a resume. It all depends on how relevant they are to the job, how many languages you speak, and how well you express them.

Employers care about two things: how well you know the languages and how that benefits their company. This needs to be clear and easy to find because recruiters don’t have time to hunt for the details.

When you list your language skills, tailor it to what the employer wants. Highlight your abilities to show them exactly how skilled you are and the ways this can contribute to your future position. 

Customize your resume to the job description 

Highlighting your proficiency in French won’t impress recruiters looking for someone to mingle with their Spanish clients. Sure, you could mention it briefly in your skills section to flex your language prowess — but any more than that is just taking up unnecessary space. 

Luckily, you don’t have to guess what the employer is looking for — the job description should do all the work for you. Closely examine how language skills are emphasized in the job ad, with specific tasks or responsibilities that require language proficiency. 

For example, if the job mentions meetings with international clients, emphasize your speaking skills and successes in negotiations, important discussions, or networking events. 

Take a look at this job description for a customer service representative: 

Most job descriptions spell out any necessary languages in the job requirements. If they want someone with bilingual or native proficiency, it’s clearly important for the position. So, include a dedicated language section to highlight your high language levels with any certifications and success stories. 

This job ad also reveals that you’ll be doing a lot of verbal interaction over the phone, so your resume should emphasize your speaking and listening abilities throughout your work experience . They also mention product knowledge, so touch on your understanding of technical vocabulary. 

Align your language skills with their specified proficiency levels. If they use terms like “intermediate” or “fluent,” at least match your proficiency level to their requirements to show you are a clear fit for the job.

Here’s an example of a French substitute teacher job description: 

The job ad refers to the CEFR framework, so ensure you use these classifications when describing your language skills. This way, recruiters can quickly identify information and check off those boxes.

Remember, the relevance of language skills varies by profession and industry. Focus on skills that directly contribute to the job, ensuring each language listed adds value and supports your strengths. 

Discover more tips on customizing your resume: How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job to Any Job Description

Describe your language proficiency level 

Simply claiming you’re “conversational in Italian” doesn’t say enough about your abilities. Maybe you can chat about your favorite pasta variations (penne for the win) over a glass of wine, but can you negotiate a high-stakes deal?

To catch a recruiter’s eye and pass those ATS (applicant tracking system) checks, be specific. Listing duties, experiences, and positive outcomes are great, but you need to provide concrete classifications.

Check the job ad to see how they specify language levels like “native,” “fluent,” or “advanced,” or if they use frameworks like CEFR or ACTFL. Stick to one rating system throughout your resume to stay consistent and avoid confusion. 

Are your listening skills much better than your speaking skills? List them separately to give a clear picture of your abilities. But if your proficiency is pretty even across the board, you can average it out to save space.

And whatever you claim on your resume, be ready to back it up in your interview. You don’t want to accidentally tell your interviewer you’re pregnant instead of sharing an embarrassing language-learning moment (been there, done that: “embarazada” does not mean “embarrassed”).

Decide where to put your language skills 

After pinpointing the right framework and key skills from the job ad, your language skills need to get noticed. Think of it like an art gallery: you wouldn’t hide your most prized pieces in the dark corner at the back. 

Recruiters often spend less than ten seconds looking through each resume, so your language skills must stand out to make an impact. So, do you give your linguistic abilities a dedicated section, or should you simply mention them with your other bullet-pointed skills? 

Include a dedicated “Language Skills” section

When the job ad requires someone who speaks another language or if it’s essential for the role (like in international marketing or translation), you should give languages their own section. This gives you more room to describe your reading, writing, and speaking abilities with relevant classifications and certifications from the right frameworks. 

You can also include examples of how your language skills made a positive impact in past positions and the ways you contributed to the company. 

Check out this example from a jobseeker with experience in international marketing: 

Language Skills

English • Native proficiency

Spanish • Professional working proficiency (C1: CEFR) • Conducted business meetings and negotiations with Spanish-speaking clients. • Translated marketing materials and technical documents.

French • Limited working proficiency (B1: CEFR) • Assisted in customer service for French-speaking clients. • Participated in bilingual meetings and took minutes.

Add to your list of skills 

If language skills aren’t the focus of the job, it’s fine to mix them into your skills or education sections with simple bullet points. Even if not directly relevant to the position, showing your language abilities alludes to other valuable soft skills like determination, patience, and focus.

Here’s how to blend your languages in your skills section: 

Skills • Data Analysis with Python • Advanced Excel Proficiency • Web Development (HTML, JavaScript) • SQL Database Management • Fluent in Spanish (C1 Level) • Basic Conversational French (A2 Level)

When listing your skills, start with your strongest abilities and those most relevant to the job. Remember, recruiters are skimming their way through a stack of resumes — nobody is going to start reading from the bottom of the list. If the job isn’t reliant on languages, group them together at the bottom of your list. 

Find out more on the best ways to structure your resume: How to Format a Resume & What Standard Resume Format to Use

Show how you applied your language skills 

You may have mastered a foreign language, but if all you have to show for it are Duolingo gems, you won’t get far in the workplace. Recruiters don’t just want a list of language levels, classifications, and tasks. Sure, it’s a good foundation and checks a box, but it doesn’t show how your skills lead to success.

Your work experience section is where you can really shine. Detail your responsibilities while pairing them with specific achievements and positive outcomes to give recruiters a better idea of your capabilities.

For example, if your language abilities helped smooth over communication with international clients, you could say something like, “Used fluent Spanish skills to negotiate contracts with Latin American suppliers, resulting in a 20% cost reduction.”

In one concise sentence, you’ve told employers what you can do and your potential in your new role. Here’s a work experience example from someone working in translation: 

Junior Arabic Translator | Language Solutions Ltd. June 2019 – December 2021 • Assisted senior translators in converting technical documents, including engineering and medical texts, from Arabic to English. • Assisted in the translation of a multilingual e-learning platform, increasing Arabic-speaking user engagement by 25%. • Translated over 500 pages of technical manuals and guides, resulting in a 30% reduction in customer service inquiries related to documentation. • Provided interpretation services during client meetings, enabling seamless communication and reducing misunderstandings. • Developed glossaries and style guides to standardize translation processes and improve consistency across projects.

Quantify your impact whenever possible when detailing any positive outcomes. Percentages, amounts saved, or increased efficiency can show potential employers how your language skills directly contribute to business success.

Learn more with our complete guide: How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume .

Prove your skills with certifications and courses 

Proving your language skills with certifications can boost your credibility. Industries with a heavy focus on languages may also see it as a requirement, so it’s best to get ahead by including your credentials on your resume. 

Here are some popular language certifications that employers look out for: 

• Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE)
• Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española (SIELE)
• Diploma in French Language Studies (DELF)
• Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK)
• Goethe-Institut Certificates

If you’ve taken the time and effort to earn a certificate, make it easy for recruiters to find. Include them in your “Language Skills” section, or if you have a bunch of credentials create a “Certifications” section.

Have you taken any language courses or workshops? Even without a certificate, they can add value to your resume — mention them under your education or professional development sections. Experiences like studying abroad or extensive travel can also show your commitment to learning a language. 

And let’s not forget the golden rule: keep it relevant. That study-abroad trip to China? It’s only taking up important space if you’re applying for an Italian translator job.

Discover the best ways to list certifications: How to Make Any Certifications on a Resume Look Better

How to Improve Your Language Skills

In my early 20s, I took a leap and moved to a country where I could only speak about five words of the language. Relocating to a non-English speaking country without knowing the basics wasn’t the brightest idea, but it did turn me into a seasoned language learner. 

Improving your language skills might not be at the top of your resume checklist right now. But what about the next time you apply for a job? The change from B2 to C1 proficiency can be the difference between landing a mediocre role to getting your dream job. 

So, why not get a head start? These are the best ways to boost your language level and impress future employers. 

Online courses and language classes

One of the best and most convenient ways to learn a new language is to sign up for language classes. And I get it, the thought of going into a room of strangers and conversing in a different language is daunting. But everyone is in the same boat — it’s the ultimate ice-breaker. 

Many classes try to immerse you by throwing out English from the get-go, an essential part of learning any language. You also get the opportunity to chat with your classmates and role-play real-life situations while practicing your speaking and listening skills. 

If you’d rather learn from the comfort of your own home, there are also many online courses for various levels and languages. Here are some of my top picks:

English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Teach English Now! Foundational Principles (Coursera)
• Teaching EFL/ESL Reading: A Task Based Approach (Coursera) 
• TEFL Essentials: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Udemy)
• AP® Spanish Language and Culture (edX)
• Foundations of Spanish for Global Communication (Future Learn)
• Learn Spanish: Basic Spanish Vocabulary Specialization (Coursera)
• Yoyo Chinese  
• Chinese for Beginners (Coursera)
• Chinese language for beginners: Mandarin Chinese HSK1-HSK3 (Udemy)

Set a regular study schedule and stick to it to get the most out of courses and classes. Consistency is key when learning a new language. Treat it like any other class or commitment to keep yourself motivated and on track.

Free resources and apps

If you don’t have the budget or time for classes, free online resources, and apps are the next best thing. Instead of scrolling through cat videos on your morning commute, why not use that time to learn new words and grammar structures?

But there’s an obvious catch — without a teacher, you miss out on the face-to-face interaction which is super handy for the learning process. So, I’d suggest using apps to brush up on the basics or as extra practice outside of classes.

Here are the top language apps and platforms: 

• Clozemaster  
• HelloChinese  
• Language Transfer 

Many language-learning apps are packed with features like quizzes, challenges, and rewards to keep you hooked. But to really benefit, you’ve got to practice regularly. Set aside a few minutes daily to complete lessons or exercises. 

It’s also handy to mix app-based learning with other free resources. Check out websites like BBC Languages, LanguagePod101, or YouTube channels dedicated to language learning. These platforms often offer videos, podcasts, and articles to boost your understanding and immersion in the language.

Media and entertainment

Think about how many hours you spend watching TV, reading books, or listening to music each week. Now imagine if you did all that in another language.

Start by watching foreign-language movies and TV shows. Platforms like Netflix have a ton of options with subtitles and dubbing, which can help you pick up on everyday conversational phrases and improve your comprehension. “Casa de Papel” and “Las Chicas de Cable” are a couple of my favorites for learning Spanish.

Listening to music, radio stations, and podcasts is another great way to immerse yourself and improve your listening skills. My go-to is the Coffee Break Languages podcast — I stick to the Coffee Break Spanish , but they have ten different languages available. 

Reading books, magazines, and blogs can boost your understanding of vocabulary and grammar. Reading a familiar book in a foreign language makes learning new words and phrases easier and more memorable (Harry Potter is a popular choice). I read Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories in Spanish — let’s just say I have plenty of interesting vocabulary under my belt. 

Immersive experiences

Let me preface by saying this option isn’t for everyone — but if you have the opportunity, hop on a plane and dive into the language headfirst. There’s no better way to learn a language than when you have no other choice. 

Living in another country pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to go beyond the basics. Everyday activities like shopping, dining out, or going to the bank require you to speak the language and mingle with locals.

Consider staying with a host family, booking a family Airbnb, or opting for a homestay while abroad. Living with native speakers means you’re constantly exposed to the language in everyday contexts. You’ll naturally pick up colloquial phrases, and cultural nuances while improving your conversational skills.

But if traveling isn’t an option, look for local language exchange meetups or cultural events where you can practice speaking with native speakers. These environments are supportive and encourage language practice in a more relaxed setting.

Here’s a roundup of all the tips to make sure your language skills stand out on your resume: 

• Match your language skills to the job description to show you fit their expectations. If the role requires “fluent Spanish,” make sure to highlight that exact proficiency level with skills and experiences 
• If languages are essential for the job, give them their own section labeled “Languages” or “Language Skills.” Otherwise, you can blend them into your skills or education sections with other relevant abilities
• Use clear descriptors like “Fluent in French” or “Conversational in Japanese.” Avoid vague terms like “good at Spanish,” which don’t reveal much about your actual skill level.
• Classify your proficiency using standard frameworks like CEFR (A1–C2) or ILR (0–5) to give recruiters a clear picture. For example, “German (CEFR C1)” provides a precise level of your capability.
• If your reading, writing, and speaking skills vary, list them separately to give a precise measure of your abilities, like “Spanish: Fluent in speaking, intermediate in writing.” 
• Be honest about your level. Exaggerating your proficiency can backfire during interviews or on the job. If you’re conversational, say so — don’t claim fluency unless you truly are.
• Show how you’ve used your language skills in your work experience with positive outcomes. For example, you could say, “Negotiated contracts in Spanish to secure cost reductions” or “Translated technical documents from English to German to attract a wider audience.” 
• Mention if you’re currently improving your skills with courses and classes. “Currently learning Mandarin at an intermediate level” shows dedication and a commitment to self-improvement, which employers appreciate.
• List any certifications or courses related to your language skills to add credibility, like “DELE B2 Spanish Certification.” Certificates validate your skills and give them more weight.

Where to put languages on a resume?

List languages in a dedicated “Languages” section if they’re crucial for the role, or if you have a range of relevant language skills. Otherwise, you can blend them into your skills or education sections using bullet points. 

Make sure recruiters and ATS software can easily spot your skills by keeping them concise with the right classifications and frameworks. If languages are a key part of the job, also mention them in your summary or cover letter to highlight their importance.

How to put “bilingual” on a resume?

Mention your bilingual ability in a “Languages” section, stating the languages you’re fluent in, like “Bilingual in English and Spanish.” You can also weave this into your resume summary or work experience to show how being bilingual has benefited past roles and added value to your work. For example, you could say, “Delivered bilingual customer service, improving satisfaction rates by 20%.”

What are examples of language skills?

Examples of language skills include proficiency in languages like Spanish, French, or Mandarin, and specific skills like translation, interpretation, and technical writing. Mention conversational, professional working, or native/bilingual proficiency levels to clarify your abilities. 

You can also include specific tasks, such as “Translated technical documents from German to English” or “Interpreted for non-English speaking patients in a medical setting.”

How to classify language proficiency?

Use standard frameworks like CEFR (A1–C2) or ILR (0–5) to classify proficiency. For example, “Spanish (CEFR C1)” or “French (ILR 3).” Be consistent and use the same frameworks throughout your resume to give employers a clear and accurate measure of your language skills. 

Conversational vs. fluent: what’s the difference? 

Conversational proficiency means you can handle everyday conversations, but might struggle with complex topics. Fluent proficiency means you’re comfortable in nearly all situations, including professional and technical discussions, and can speak almost as well as a native speaker. For example, conversational Spanish might involve casual chats, while fluent Spanish means you can negotiate business deals or discuss technical subjects. 

How to say you read, write, and speak Spanish on your resume?

In your “Languages” section, list it as: “Spanish: Advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.” Alternatively, integrate it into your work experience: “Conducted meetings in Spanish, wrote reports, and corresponded with Spanish-speaking clients, enhancing cross-cultural communication.” This clearly shows your comprehensive skill set and how you’ve applied it professionally.

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How Should I Indicate Language Proficiency on my Resume?

What are some good ways of listing language proficiency on a resume?

Language is such a complex thing to explain simply. There are several aspects of most languages (reading, writing, speaking, listening), and being good at one aspect doesn't mean you'll be good at the rest. Words like "fluent" apply to the speaking part only, and say nothing about reading/writing. For Chinese/Japanese, for instance, writing gets even more complicated as you may be able to type the language, but not write it by hand.

Furthermore, explaining the 'level' of language is almost impossible. Is business level the ability to conduct a business negotiation, or to meet a customer and get the message across in a professional manner? Is fluency the ability to speak fluently, or to speak naturally with few grammar mistakes?

Attempted Solutions:

Generally I just write down: "English (native), Language A (12 years), Language B (6 years), Language C (6 years)" and figure that if someone wants to know more about A, B, or C they can just ask me in the interview. But at the same time when I apply for jobs that ask for 'business-level' in a certain language, this often isn't enough information.

I've tried breaking it down in to 'core' skills: reading, writing, conversation, but then I have trouble creating an understandable rating system (what does 'A/B/C' or 'Fluent/Proficient/Competent' mean in the context of writing skill?).

2 Answers 2

A bit of background for this: I used to teach professional and technical writing to international students in an American university, and resume creation was one of the key aspects of this class. We talked about this a lot, and what follows is generally what I taught in that class.

First, you're absolutely correct that there are multiple aspects to language, and the more you do on your resume to break these elements out, the better. Discussing language proficiency in terms of reading, writing, and speaking would be completely adequate; listening is a bonus, and more difficult to quantify (and quite frankly, it's not been my experience that companies, rather than academic institutions, understand what a proficiency measurement in "listening" really means).

So let's look at how to describe language proficiency in terms of reading, writing, and speaking. If you can claim native language proficiency in one or more aspects of one or more languages (that's quite possible), that's a commonly-understood term. After that, as you note, it gets a little fuzzy.

Describing proficiency in terms of years of use (as one of your examples) is not terribly useful at all. For instance, let's say for the sake of argument, that I studied French in college for 4 years. If you dropped me in the middle of France, I wouldn't do all that well. I could probably buy some wine and cheese. But if one of my mythical classmates went to France after one year of college classes, was immersed in the culture, and lived there for several months with nothing to do but work with the language, their 1.5 years with the language would be significantly more attractive to an employer than my 4. So, numbers are out.

That leaves general terms like fluent, proficient, competent, and a host of others, as you note. There are several tests and frameworks of language proficiency that offer guidelines that you can use, and (more importantly), hiring institutions might be using as well. One example is the Interagency Language Roundtable scale (ILR) which describes how the US Government defines levels of language proficiency for foreign service. "Elementary" proficiency would be something like my example of being able to get around, minimally, and to be polite, but not much more than that ("able to use questions and answers for simple topics within a limited level of experience"). However, a level like "Professional working proficiency" includes things like "able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most conversations on practical, social, and professional topics", and would be close to (if not a bit higher than) what a non-Government job might refer to as "business level". There is a similar framework used in Europe, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).

My recommendation to anyone trying to figure out how describe their language proficiency would be to let one of these frameworks do the talking for you, and to reference whichever one you're using right there in your resume. If you're applying for jobs in the US, for the government or otherwise, use the ILR scale; if in Europe, use the CEFRL scale, and so on; the idea is to get information across as clearly as possible, and limit the amount of work/number of questions your interviewers have to go through to get the information they need.

So, on a resume, it would be completely reasonable to have a section for Language Skills that looked like this:

• English: native language
• French: limited working proficiency (ILR scale)
• German: full professional proficiency (ILR scale)

But if you think all of that is overkill, it's still ok to do this:

• French: intermediate (speaking, reading); basic (writing)
• German: fluent (speaking, reading, writing)

if you reasonably map basic, intermediate, and fluent along the same general guidelines as one of the proficiency frameworks provide.

• What do you think about the common European scores? Etc by English C2, German B1, ...? Should there speaking, reading and writing be separated? –  Léo Léopold Hertz 준영 Commented Jan 16, 2017 at 14:39
• TL;DR version of your answer got 11 upvotes, maybe you will consider adding TL;DR on the top, before diving into background? –  Peter M. - stands for Monica Commented Mar 9, 2018 at 18:24

There are multiple recognized tiers for language proficiency.

Beginner Level

You are basically a student of the language and enjoy working with it. You cannot be depended on to apply this language reliably in a real world situation.

Conversational Level

You have basic speaking and comprehension skills in this language. You are able to express yourself in this language and you can exchange basic ideas with someone who only speaks this language.

Business Level

You are experienced enough with the language to conduct business in it. You are able to engage a native speaker of this language without offending them. You are able to take instructions in this language and carry them out without error.

Fluent Level

You are fully verse in this language, speaking, reading and writing it as well as a native speaker. You can keep up with a fast-paced dialogue between two native speakers of this language.

Typically, if an employer is looking for a language skill, they will typically check that you are fluent or at least business-level at it.

This is how this might look in a resume

Other Skills

French, Written - Business Level

French, Spoken - Fluent Level

Japanese, Spoken - Conversational Level

Japanese, Written - Beginner Level

• 9 This answer adds nothing to improve on the already-accepted answer above. Why did you even post it? –  Nate C-K Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 19:35
• 7 One reason might be because the accepted answer is more verbose and less structured –  tjb1982 Commented Mar 31, 2014 at 22:17
• 2 -1 For needlessly insulting another question. If you felt it too verbose, you could have just as easily edited it. –  user9158 Commented Jul 17, 2014 at 3:47
• For those who love TL;DR version, I'm upvoting this answer. Ain't nobody got time for that? –  vk.edward.li Commented Nov 14, 2014 at 9:53
• 3 where is the part of "insulting another question"? –  Ooker Commented Aug 10, 2017 at 14:29

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How to List Language Skills on Your Resume

• Most Requested Languages
• Foreign Language-Focused Jobs
• How to List Foreign Language Skills

Resume Template to Download

Foreign language resume sample.

• Self-Assessment Tools

One of the most valuable skills that job candidates can offer potential employers is strong fluency in a foreign language. If you have strong foreign language skills, including this fact on your resume will likely give you an advantage over most of your competition whenever the ability to speak another language is a prerequisite for the job.

The Most Requested Languages on Resumes

The level of demand for job candidates with specific foreign language skills depends on a few factors, including the industry and the geographical location of employers. According to the “Not Lost in Translation” study by New American Economy (NEA), the five most in-demand foreign languages requested by U.S. employers are Spanish, Chinese, French , Arabic, and Korean .  

Oftentimes, the second language requested depends upon the industry. Spanish fluency is frequently sought for customer service roles in the financial services and auto parts sectors. The hospitality and luxury retail industries have a high demand for Chinese speakers. French and Arabic, on the other hand, are desirable languages for job candidates seeking work with international humanitarian aid associations. Korean speakers, meanwhile, are targeted by the pharmaceutical, education, telecommunications, and banking industries.

Demand for employees with foreign language competencies also varies from state to state. The states with especially large immigrant populations—California, Texas, Florida, and New York—naturally have the most job postings for bilingual applicants. Other states with a high demand for second language fluency are Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon.

Jobs That Require Foreign Language Skills

There is a wide range of employers who list foreign language qualifications for consideration on their job listings. For some positions, candidates are expected to provide a standardized measure of their level of proficiency in a foreign language on their resume.

Depending upon your industry, you may be asked to use a specific proficiency framework/test to self-assess and quantify your command of a foreign language.    

Customer Service Jobs

The vast majority of jobs where foreign language fluency is desirable are in customer service, sales, and medical positions—roles requiring extensive interaction with clients within our global economy. The NEA study mentioned above notes that bilingual customer service representatives are most in demand (7.8%), followed by wholesale/manufacturing sales representatives (6.3%), retail salespersons (6.1%), registered nurses (3.2%), and financial services sales agents (3.2%).

When applying for most of these sorts of jobs, it is fine to describe your fluency in general terms such as bilingual, native, near-native, advanced, intermediate, or competent. If you have a LinkedIn account , you can use the proficiency designations provided there (native or bilingual proficiency, full professional proficiency, professional working proficiency, limited working proficiency, or elementary proficiency) to add your language skills to your profile.

Here’s an example of how to cite your foreign language competency level on your resume:

• Foreign languages : English (native proficiency), Mandarin Chinese (full professional proficiency)

If you only have a basic understanding of a second language, it is generally best not to mention the language at all on your resume (except when this is required, as it is for some federal job applications). Never exaggerate your foreign language proficiency.

Federal Government and Military Jobs

Federal agencies that actively recruit personnel with foreign language skills include the Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Virtual Translation Center, and the Peace Corps.  

Foreign language skills are in high demand for these federal government jobs, and there is a shortage of qualified applicants. The United States Government Accountability Office reports that 23% of Foreign Service Officers appointed by the State Department to work overseas lacked the required language proficiency.  

The demand for talented foreign language speakers in the government sector is so great that many agencies now offer hiring incentives to job applicants with fluency in priority languages.  

Required proficiency framework: Candidates for federal jobs may be asked to prove their language proficiency by taking a test based on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale. This scale ranks one’s language competency at six different skill levels (0-5). Here’s what a citation of this scale might look like on a resume:

• Foreign Languages: Spanish-Native/Bilingual (ILR Level 5); English-Native/Bilingual (ILR Level 5); French-Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3)

Foreign Language Teaching Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were approximately 27,240 foreign language teachers in the American workforce in 2017. Colleges and universities, junior colleges, and local governments are the leading employers of foreign language teachers.

Required proficiency framework : The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages   (ACTFL) has created a series of guidelines used to evaluate one’s functional language ability. This scale, commonly used both by teachers and employers to assess foreign language competency, analyzes proficiency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading.  

Here’s an example: 

• Foreign Languages : English (Native); Spanish (ACTFL: Speaking-“Superior,” Writing-“Superior,” Listening- “Advanced High,” Reading-“Distinguished”)

Jobs With European Companies

Most Europeans begin learning a second language early in their primary education. If you hope to work abroad for EU employers, a solid command of a second language may well be required.  

A good way to learn which languages are required in order to work overseas is to scan the listings on one of these best international job search engine sites .

Required proficiency framework: Employers in the EU use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages  (CEFR) to determine their job candidate’s degree of language proficiency. A basic understanding of a language is ranked as “A1” or “A2” (“Basic User”), an intermediate command is scored as “B1” or “B2” (“Independent User”), and advanced competency is described as “C1” or “C2” (“Proficient User”). 

Here’s what a citation looks like:

• Foreign Languages:  English (Native, CEFR C2); German (CEFR B2); French (CEFR B1)

Where to List Foreign Language Skills on Your Resume

If foreign language competency is one of the “preferred” or “required” qualifications on a job listing, then you need to mention this skill throughout your resume.

Although this might seem repetitive, multiplying the mentions of your language skills on your resume will ensure that it “passes” its initial review by the automated applicant tracking systems that many employers use to narrow down their pools of candidates. These systems are programmed to identify both the placement and the number of times specific keyword phrases are incorporated within your resume.

The best places to showcase your language skills on your resume are in an initial qualifications profile , a dedicated languages skills section or table, and within your “Education and Certifications” section. 

You should also describe your professional use of a foreign language as a “key achievement” in your “Experience” section. 

Qualifications Summary Example

The qualifications profile (also called a “ summary of qualifications ”) of your resume provides the important first impression to an employer, so it’s important to highlight your language skills prominently here. You can do this by mentioning them both in a resume headline and in the text of the profile itself:

Jordan German 123 Railroad Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18020 (123) 456-7890 jgerman@email.com www.linked.com/in/jordangerman

CUSTOMER SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

Bilingual Customer Service Representative with 6-year track record of excellence in auto parts sector .

Service-oriented support specialist offering proven communications strengths within fast-paced call center environments. Easily engage customers from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds through attentive needs identification and consultative dialogues. Bilingual command of English (native tongue) and Spanish (near-native fluency).

Language Skills Section Example

Another good way to showcase your language skills is to set them off in a dedicated “Language Skills” section or table. This should be placed either directly after your summary of qualifications or (especially on federal resumes) at the end of the resume following the description of your education and training.

Foreign Language Competencies

• English : Native (ILR Level 5)
• German : Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3)
• Dutch : Professional Working Proficiency (ILR Level 3) 

Experience Section Example

If you have used a foreign language frequently as part of your day-to-day work experience, be sure to highlight this in your “Experience” section.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ABC GENERAL HOSPITAL, Quincy, Massachusetts Registered Nurse  (February 2008 – Present)

Provide attentive and empathetic nursing care to mothers and infants in 50-bed labor and obstetrics ward. Implement treatment plans, monitor stages of labor and delivery, and educate new parents in neonatal care. 

Key Contributions :

• Willingly stepped up to work overtime and weekend shifts when needed.
• Leveraged bilingual command of Spanish to translate for physicians and Spanish-speaking patients and their families.

Education and Certifications Section Example

Any academic or professional training you have had in a foreign language should be mentioned in the “Education” section of your resume, along with language certifications you have earned.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, Clemson, South CarolinaBachelor of Arts in French

Junior Year Abroad: University of Paris, Paris, France (20XX to 20XX)

Language Certification : International Centre for French Studies: Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) diplomas (CEFRL C1 and C2)

(compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) to use as a starting point for your own resume.

Sonya See 17017 Riverwalk Road Arlington, VA 98223 (555) 555-1212 Sonya.see@email.com

Multilingual, customer-focused Concierge with 7 years’ experience serving an international clientele .

Charismatic and focused professional offering world-class service to patrons of upscale hotels, conference centers, and cruise ships. Seamlessly discern and respond to client requirements to ensure unique and memorable experiences. Bilingual in English and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), with advanced command of Korean and Japanese. 

WELLINGTON HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER, Arlington, VA

Concierge (June 2014-Present)

Orchestrate local travel, restaurant, tourism, and entertainment arrangements for hotel guests. Respond to customer inquiries and mediate service issues; work closely with local vendors to provide enjoyable entertainment opportunities.

• Leverage superb command of spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, and Japanese to ensure positive guest experiences and generate business referrals.
• Recruited by marketing team to help develop email communications and collateral targeted to customers from Asia and Southeast Asia.

SOUTHSEAS CRUISES, Singapore

Concierge (August 2012-May 2014)

Worked closely with Guest Relations Manager to fulfill requests for on-board services and coordinate shore-side services at ports of call in Langkawi, Phuket, and Penang.

• Spearheaded highly successful programming that brought local dancing groups to perform onboard at each port of call.
• Stepped up to serve as personal translator and as tour guide for English-only speaking guests.

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

BS of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (Minor: Japanese) 2012

Study Abroad: Summer Abroad Program, Seisen University, Japan (2011)

Foreign Language Certifications :

• JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N5), Japan Foundation / Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
• Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK II, Level 6), Korean Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation

Foreign Language Self-Assessment Tools

Not sure just how good your foreign language skills are? You can take self-assessments using the ILR proficiency scale (for federal jobs), the CEFR scale (for jobs overseas in the EU), and the 10-level ACTFL proficiency scale .

The New American Economy. " Not Lost in Translation ," Page 21.

The New American Economy. " Not Lost in Translation ," Page 22.

The New American Economy. " Not Lost in Translation ," Page 18.

The New American Economy. " Not Lost in Translation ," Page 13.

The New American Economy. " Not Lost in Translation ," Page 8.

LinkedIn. " How To Include Language Skills On Your LinkedIn Profile (and Resume) ."

Interagency Language Roundtable. " Federal Foreign Careers Information ."

United States Government Accountability Office. " Foreign Language Proficiency Has Improved, but Efforts to Reduce Gaps Need Evaluation ."

Interagency Language Roundtable. " How Can I be Tested and Rated on the ILR Scale? "

Interagency Language Roundtable. " What are the “ILR Language Skill-Level Descriptions? "

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics. " Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary ."

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. " ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines ."

Pew Research Center. " Most European Students Are Learning a Foreign Language in School While Americans Lag ."

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Project Coordinator - Part time (Remote)

Do you have a passion for languages and cultures? You will have the chance to use your language skills daily and interact with a dynamic and diverse team worldwide. We are currently looking for a remote, part-time Localization Project Coordinator to assist our project managers in San Diego with localization and Quality Assurance projects.

If you enjoy teamwork in a multicultural environment, speak two languages, have 1-2 years of work experience in the translation industry, we want to hear from you.

Position: part-time hourly contractor position (25 hours a week on average) to start. Ideal location: Remote - Latin America (Argentina, Mexico, Peru) or USA preferred. Schedule : We offer a flexible work schedule during California time zone, between 8am to 5pm PST (Monday through Friday).

Company BeatBabel® is a Localization Service Provider based in San Diego, California. The idea for the company came about over 15 years ago when several individuals shared their passion for translation and decided to make the world of languages easier to navigate. We focus on adapting products like software, websites, e-learning courses, technical documentation, and marketing materials for global markets.

Role Description

• Coordination and management of localization projects in co-operation with a project manager. Tasks will include: file preparation using standard localization processes and tools, task assignments, project tracking, PO creation, vendor coordination, Glossary/TM maintenance, file delivery through TMS.
• Ensure project management portal data and project trackers (Excel or JIRA) are accurate and up to date.
• Oversee external vendor teams and ensure strict adherence to timelines and instructions on all projects.
• Perform final production work and Quality Assurance checks prior to delivery as needed.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal/external resources.
• Support and provide regular status reports to management on project progress.
• Assist management with other project tasks and client/vendor calls as needed.
• Keeping in touch with the team regularly through Teams and daily status reports.

Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years in the localization industry as a Project Coordinator or similar role leading projects.
• Bachelor's Degree in Translation/Linguistics, Localization, International studies or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with TMS and CAT-tools (Studio/Trados online, Phrase, Smartling).
• Proficient with PC and MS Office Programs (Excel, PPT, Word).
• Excellent communication skills - English written and spoken required.
• Fluent in at least one other language: Spanish preferred. Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Italian will also be considered as an alternative.
• Awareness of internationalization and localization processes.
• Good time management, highly organized with attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Ability to prioritize and follow-through with projects and work with deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and remotely, while keeping in touch with the team in daily status reports.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of JIRA a plus
• Experience with Desktop Publishing programs (Adobe Creative – InDesign...)
• Experience with video editing and subtitling tools a plus (Storyline, Adobe Premiere or SubEdit)

How to apply?

If you feel your next career move is to join our team, please submit your application with your resume, a short cover letter (stating your motivation and experience) to  info (at) beatbabel.com with the subject Localization Coordinator - Part Time (Remote)

Information

Send application or questions to.

[email protected]

Accepting Applications Until

29 August 2024

Remote - US or Latin America preferred Ability to work within US Pacific Time Zone