The Internet has opened up a host of opportunities for people who are eager to work from home.
You can make money as a freelance writer, social media manager, researcher, or even teach English online. But what about those who want to put their second-language skills to good use?
There are plenty of lucrative and fun jobs out there in the freelance world that will require you to speak English as a second language! Here are 16 such jobs:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Embrace language diversity as a freelance advantage. |
| Explore various freelance jobs where English is needed. |
| Cultivate bilingual skills to access more job opportunities. |
| Tap into the global market with language proficiency. |
| Use language fluency to excel in international projects. |
1. Translator
If you’re looking for a way to earn money from home and practice your English, translating is one of the best options.
You can work from anywhere in the world and you don’t have to be fluent in the language that you’re translating.
This is perfect if you want to work out-of-the-box while learning more about cultures and languages!
Translating involves using foreign language skills so make sure that this job suits your interests before applying.
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2. ESL Teacher
ESL stands for English as a second language, and it’s a growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 4 million ESL teachers in the United States in 2017, with an estimated 30% increase by 2026.
So if you’re fluent in English but not quite fluent enough for native speakers to understand you without some effort, there are plenty of opportunities available to teach others how to speak English as a second language.
The four main types of ESL jobs are:
- Teaching English as a foreign language abroad
- Working at an American school abroad or teaching children who have moved here from other countries
- Teaching adults who wish to improve their conversational skills so they can work or go back home
- Working in corporate training programs
3. Proofreader
Proofreading is a job where you’ll have to be able to spot errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.
You’ll also have to be able to read quickly and accurately. Proofreading is an extremely important part of the publishing process as it helps ensure that books are error-free before they are published.
Proofreaders check documents such as web content, advertisements or brochures for things like grammatical errors or missing words.
It’s also common for proofreaders to check for formatting issues like incorrect fonts or line spacing issues so that everything looks perfect when it goes on sale.
If you speak English as your second language but are interested in becoming a proofreader then this could be the job for you!
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4. Audio Transcriptionist
If you can type fast and accurately, this is a good job for you. You’ll listen to audio recordings and transcribe them into written text.
You’ll be working with people from all over the world, so your ability to deal with different accents will be put to the test here.
This can be a part-time or full-time job for some people, but it’s generally something that you’ll want to work on in your free time rather than as your primary source of income your skills are not exactly sought after by many companies because they’re highly specialized.
5. Voice Over Artist
If you have a pleasant voice and can read scripts quickly, then you might want to consider becoming a voice over artist.
This job is perfect for ESL learners because it will help them improve their pronunciation and strengthen their understanding of grammar and sentence structure.
Voice over artists are usually hired by companies that make animations or video games, but they can also work as instructors at language schools.
To become a voice over artist, applicants should be able to read scripts without stumbling over words or sentences while keeping the same tone throughout the entire recording session.
6. Tour Guide
As a tour guide, you’ll be responsible for interpreting and explaining the local area. This may include local attractions, such as museums or parks.
As well as historical sites and neighborhoods. You’ll need to know how to speak English fluently in order to do this job effectively.
You will also need to be able to speak the language of your country fluently.
If you don’t already have it down pat before starting work with a tourist group, consider taking some time off between jobs so that you have time to learn any necessary phrases or vocabulary words first.
The ability to take people on a walking tour of your city is critical for this job; make sure that your physical fitness level is up-to-par before applying!
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7. Content Writer
Content writer is a person who writes content for websites, blogs, and social media. They are responsible for creating engaging, compelling, and original content for their audience.
Content writers often work with the marketing team to create content for social media and blogs.
Content writing jobs require excellent writing skills in English as a second language (ESL).
The ability to use proper grammar as well as complete sentences will be necessary in order to convey your message clearly to readers.
8. Copywriter
Copywriting is a challenging, creative and rewarding career. As a copywriter, you’ll be responsible for creating content that communicates the company’s value proposition to customers.
You will work closely with clients to understand their business objectives, create compelling stories that resonate with customers and write impactful messages using the right tone of voice.
Copywriters are usually freelancers who work remotely or from home offices. Most copywriters start out as writers or editors before becoming full-time freelance writers.
Copywriters can specialize in any area where they need to communicate someone else’s message clearly and effectively through writing from advertising (the actual ads) to brochures to direct mail pieces you name it!
9. Researcher
As a researcher, you’ll be tasked with finding answers to questions that have yet to be answered.
You will have to be able to research information and then write it down in a way that is easy for others to understand and use.
There are two types of researchers: those who conduct primary research (which involves collecting information from primary sources like interviews).
And those who conduct secondary research (which involves collecting information from sources such as previously published articles or books).
If you’re interested in conducting either type of research, there are several freelance jobs out there for you!
10. Social Media Manager
Social Media Manager is a job that will require you to be active on social media. You will need to engage with people, post content and manage accounts.
11. Newspaper Reviewer
If you enjoy reading the newspaper, but would rather not waste your hard-earned money on subscriptions, this is the job for you.
As a newspaper reviewer, you will be expected to read at least one paper per week and write a 400-word review of it.
Reviews should be honest and entertaining your audience will want to know what’s going on in the world outside their front door.
They also need to be relevant and unique; if everyone is saying something similar about a particular news item or event, there is no point in writing another article saying exactly the same thing as all of your competitors!
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12. Celebrity Gossip Writer
There is no doubt that celebrities have an impact on the lives of their fans. Every time a celebrity does something, it makes headlines and people are talking about it.
If you’re interested in writing about celebrities, this might be just the job for you! You’ll need to know your stuff when it comes to celebrity gossip and be able to write articles quickly.
- Write stories about their personal lives (e.g., their relationships and children)
- Write stories about their careers (e.g., acting roles)
- Report on upcoming projects or albums they’re working on
- Keep up with any controversies surrounding them (e.g., drug abuse)
13. Website Reviewer
This job is for those who have experience evaluating websites. You will examine the site and check for errors, broken links, spelling and grammar errors, content, design, usability and mobile compatibility.
You’ll also need to look at security issues such as whether passwords are encrypted or if there’s any evidence of hacking attempts.
You’ll also need to make sure that the website is accessible by people with disabilities.
14. Travel Journalist
Travel journalism is a freelance writing field that involves reporting on travel destinations, tourism, and other related topics.
Travel journalists are often required to travel to the destination they’re writing about in order to report their stories firsthand.
This means that you may have to go on assignments, or even relocate if necessary.
Though travel journalism can be rewarding and exciting, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many obligations involved with this type of freelance job.
In addition to the financial responsibilities associated with being self-employed, you’ll also need an excellent network of connections and resources (such as contacts at different airlines).
15. Blogger To Write About The Immigrant Experience In Your Country
You’re a new immigrant in your country and you want to share your experiences. You can blog about how it feels to be an immigrant, what life is like in your home country, or how you found work as a freelancer in your new country.
You can write about how hard it was for you to find work, if there were any cultural differences that made it harder for you than native speakers (like the fact that employers expect immigrants to speak English at work).
And what types of jobs are most common among immigrants from other countries.
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16. Facebook Ad Creator/Manager For An American Company That Works With People In Your Country
The job:
You’ll be responsible for creating Facebook ads that will be used by an American company to promote their service.
You’ll also manage the ongoing success of these ads, tracking their performance and making changes as necessary.
You might also be asked to create ads that target people in your country who speak English as a second language.
Your skills in managing these ads will involve knowing what words are best used, what images are most effective, and how many times each ad can be shown before it needs replacing with a new one.
Conclusion
If you are looking for opportunities that allow you to work from home and speak your second language (English) as a freelance worker, I hope this list has helped. Freelancing can be scary but I have found it very rewarding.
Further Reading
Jobs Abroad That Require Foreign Language Skills: Explore exciting opportunities to work abroad that value foreign language skills, expanding your horizons and enhancing cultural experiences.
Freelance Language Jobs: Discover the world of freelance language jobs, where language enthusiasts can leverage their linguistic abilities to find flexible and rewarding work opportunities.
Online Jobs for Bilinguals: Uncover a variety of online job options tailor-made for bilingual individuals, offering the chance to utilize their language proficiency in a digital work environment.
FAQs
How can I find jobs abroad that require foreign language skills?
Exploring websites like GoAbroad can provide you with a comprehensive list of jobs abroad that specifically seek candidates with foreign language proficiency.
Are there freelance opportunities in the language industry?
Absolutely! Freelance language jobs are abundant, and platforms like StudyFrenchSpanish can connect language enthusiasts with clients seeking language-related services.
What are some popular freelance language jobs I can pursue?
Some popular freelance language jobs include translation services, language tutoring, and interpreting assignments for various clients worldwide.
How do online jobs for bilinguals differ from traditional roles?
Online jobs for bilinguals offer the flexibility to work remotely and cater to an international clientele, providing a more diverse and dynamic work environment compared to traditional roles.
Can I earn a stable income from online jobs as a bilingual individual?
Yes, you can! Many online jobs for bilinguals offer competitive compensation, allowing skilled language experts to build a stable income stream from their linguistic abilities.
Are There Any Skills That Are Required For Freelancing?
No, you don’t need to have any particular skills in order to start freelancing.
However, if your chosen industry requires technical expertise or specialized knowledge, it may be harder for you if English is not your first language.
For example, if you want to work as an IT technician or as a programming consultant with minimal support from other people (for example via email), then it might be better for you to find another job where communicating in English is less of a barrier.
What Is Freelancing Skills?
Freelancing skills are the abilities you need to do your job well, regardless of how much or little experience you have in a specific area.
If you’re a freelancer, you’ll need to know how to use various tools and programs related to your trade.
For example, if you’re a writer who wants to earn money through freelance writing jobs online (or offline), it’s important that you know how to properly format a manuscript or blog post so that it looks professional and ready for publication.
What Kind Of Work Do You Look For?
I like to work with companies that have a reputation for paying freelancers fairly and treating them well.
I’ve worked with a wide variety of clients from startups to established businesses and they all have different needs and expectations. I like to choose jobs where:
- The job is something I’m interested in doing (i.e., not just any old task)
- The client has an interesting company/product/service that is worth talking about (and hopefully promoting)
- They pay their freelancers on time, if not early
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.