How to List Language Skills on a Resume: Best Skills and Examples

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Language skills refer to an individual’s ability to speak a language in addition to their foreign language. If you are proficient in more than one language, you could include bilingual skills on your resume. This article explains the best ways to include foreign language skills on your resume when applying to a job.

Why employers want to see language skills on your resume

Employers and recruiters most often want to see language skills on a resume when the position being applied for specifically calls for fluency in another language. For example, companies that are located in an area where multiple languages are spoken or that work on a global scale will often look for employees with fluency in a certain language in addition to their native language. 

Possessing the ability to speak another language provides you with an important skill and often sets you apart from candidates who cannot speak another language. It’s important to note that knowing only a few words or phrases in another language is typically not enough to include the language on your resume as a skill. 

How to list language skills on a resume

The following are the steps you can take when listing your language skills on your resume:

1. First, determine if you have language skills that are relevant to the position being applied for

The first step to listing language skills on your resume is to determine if listing your language skills is actually relevant to the job you are applying for. If the position you are interested in does not ask for or require language skills, including your language skills on your resume is often unnecessary. However, if the job does specify the need for proficiency in a certain language, indicating that you are experienced or fluent in the language can help you land an interview.

2. Second, identify your skill level in the language you will include in your resume

When including your language skills on your resume, it’s important to note the level at which you speak the language you are listing. The following are different levels of language skills:

  • Beginner. This is when you only know a few words or phrases in a particular language. Beginner language skills should typically not be listed on a resume.
  • Intermediate. This level is when you can speak the language but not fluently. You may be able to hold basic conversations and read the language.
  • Proficient. Proficient language skills are when you can write, read and speak the language with ease in most cases.
  • Fluent. Being fluent in a language is when you can easily speak, read and write the language with little to no difficulty.
  • Native. A native language is a language in which you were raised speaking and is your primary method of communicating.

3. Third, include your language skills in the skills section on your resume

If a position you are applying for specifically asks that applicants have skills in a particular language, you should create a language skills section on your resume to highlight your proficiency in the language. However, if language skills are not relevant to the job, you can simply list them in your education or past experience section on your resume.

Best language skills to add to a resume

Examples of languages that you could list on a resume if you are experienced in them include:

  • English
  • Mandarin
  • French
  • Russian
  • Italian
  • Polish
  • Spanish
  • Creole
  • Arabic
  • Portuguese

 The language skills you list on your resume will depend on the particular language that you are proficient in. 

How to improve language skills

The following are tips you can use to improve your language skills:

1. First, choose one language to focus on

While there are several languages you can spend time learning, focusing on one language at a time is key to becoming proficient in that language. Starting with a language you already have some basic understanding of is often the best way to expand on that language and improve your overall language skills.

2. Second, spend time studying the language

Once you have decided on a language to focus on, you should spend time every day studying that language. For example, you could listen to audiotapes or take an online course on the language.

3. Lastly, use the language in everyday life

One of the best ways to improve your language skills is to use the language you are trying to improve in everyday life. For example, you may converse with someone fluent in the language or write a letter in the language. The more you practice, the better you will become in speaking the language.