Actions That Open Doors to Success

Written by Gabriela Estrada

Are you someone who is fluent in two languages but feels like you're not really making the most of your bilingualism? Don't worry—this is more common than you think.

After months or years of study, many students reach an intermediate level, and with all that accumulated knowledge, they wonder what the next step is so they don’t waste their investment or limit their use of the language to casual conversations with friends and family.

In the following paragraphs, I'll show you the key decisions you can make to step outside your comfort zone, validate your skill level, and make your mark on the international stage.

Steps to Take After Becoming Bilingual

• Let the job market know that you speak two languages

If you're at the intermediate level in a second language, don't limit yourself to casual conversation. Get certified with an international test such as the IELTS for English or the TEF for French.

Nowadays, it’s essential to thrive in competitive environments. Companies are looking for candidates who can take on various roles within their field; and to move up the list of resumes ready for review, recruiters look at certifications first. This ensures you’ll be called in for an interview and increases your chances of finding a good job.

The secret isn't speaking the language—you and your friends already know that—the key is to get certified so that your skills are recognized in the job market. Then you'll be heard.

• Emigrating to English- or French-speaking countries

Many people are fluent in a second language but live in their Spanish-speaking country without realizing that they could live in other regions—such as Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and many others—where governments value proficiency in English or French.

Currently, in the immigration process to Canada, French has gained a great deal of interest as it aims to preserve Francophone culture. 

Traveling to Canada could be a wonderful life experience for a bilingual person because English and French are the country's official languages, and the authorities award high scores to those who demonstrate a good command of them.

• Become a Certified Language Teacher

If, in addition to being fluent in English or French, you’re passionate about teaching, making the leap into the teaching profession requires one essential step: certifying your teaching methodology (not just your language proficiency).

Knowing how to speak a language is not the same as knowing how to teach it. To teach at prestigious institutions or independently on an international level, you must obtain a certification in foreign language teaching, such as the Cambridge CELTA Certificate or the Diplôme d'Aptitude à l'Enseignement du Français Langue Étrangère (DAEFLE).

With these credentials on your resume, you not only demonstrate that you are bilingual, but you also position yourself as an education professional.

• Join our affiliate network and grow with your language

On Planeta Immiland Education, we believe in the power of partnerships. That’s why we’ve created affiliate programs designed for individuals and organizations that share our mission of opening doors through language.

Whether you're a student, an immigration consultant, or an educational agency, you can become part of our community and earn commissions for every student who enrolls in our French or English courses through your referral.

Are you thinking about becoming bilingual? At Planeta Immiland Education, we can teach you and open many doors for you.

We offer English and French courses, preparation for international exams, conversation clubs, and more.

Go to Planeta Immiland Education and discover our online academy, which is tailored to your goals.

I hope this topic proves useful as you take your next steps toward becoming a successful bilingual. See you in the next blog post, where we’ll continue to integrate the language into your life in Canada and other parts of the world.

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education