| y"> | | | | translated. In more than 20 years, other than "official |
| For me - there's no question. | | | | government procedures, visas, work permits, etc. I've |
| Sooner or later as teachers of English as a Foreign | | | | never had to do it. |
| Language, the question arises; "Do I need to translate | | | | "But what about upper-level management and |
| my resume into Spanish?" After more than 20 years in | | | | personnel administration, don't they need translated |
| the business the question still comes up occasionally | | | | documents?" Well, often no, but if it ever does come |
| even for me. Invariably you'll need to send a resume or | | | | up you'll certainly be provided with some assistance |
| CV and a cover letter to a potential employer, | | | | with completing the process. |
| administrator or agency. So what do you do when an | | | | During those times when I, as an English Department |
| ad or job notice states "send resume and cover letter | | | | Director, Coordinator or other administrator, needed to |
| with copies of certificates to: ...?" My procedure is | | | | interview and hire English language teaching |
| simple. I don't translate. Here's why: | | | | professionals, virtually all those CVs and resumes |
| As a native-speaking English teacher you're expected | | | | which landed on my desk in English went immediately |
| to have the highest English language level possible. By | | | | to the top of the pile. Although it was expected that |
| sending your documents in English, right away you | | | | English teacher applicants would send in their |
| establish your "credentials" when ALL your | | | | packages in English, it was the exception to receive |
| correspondence is in excellent English. Which would | | | | resumes in English rather than the rule. Make yourself |
| you rather present - documents in flawless English or | | | | stand out. Provide your cover letter and resume or CV |
| questionable Spanish? Yeah, I thought so. Me too. | | | | in English. |
| More than a few educational institutions frown on the | | | | Finally, you should absolutely do your best work in |
| use of the student's first language (in this case | | | | preparing your cover letter and resume or CV (called |
| Spanish) in the classroom or even on the institution's | | | | "hoja de vida" in Spanish). By all means, put your best |
| premises. So showing that you know (or are not so | | | | foot forward and send initial paperwork in English. Don't |
| good at) Spanish, the students' first language may | | | | worry, it WILL get read and quickly acted upon. So, |
| NOT be a plus. | | | | start polishing up your presentation materials in your |
| At the vast majority of institutions the contact person | | | | native tongue ASAP. |
| you are responding to is bilingual with English as one of | | | | Other English language learning and teaching articles |
| their languages - which is often why they're the | | | | available in this series include: |
| contact person. Besides, besides if it ever becomes | | | | "Learning a Language: 6 Effective Ways to Use the |
| necessary to translate your documents you are | | | | Internet" |
| expected to have it done, not necessarily to do it | | | | "Six Quick Tricks for Learning a Language" |
| yourself. You will likely be told by whom, when and | | | | "What's the Strangest Thing you've Ever Eaten?" |
| where you can have it done. In any case you'll be | | | | "What Makes a Person Intelligent? |
| advised specifically that "X" document must be | | | | |