A language coordinator’s role varies greatly depending on the environment in which he or she works. A language coordinator oversees the classes offered in a particular language or group of languages at a college or university. Language coordinators may be employed hospitals or other public-facing organizations to assist non-English speaking populations. A translation agency’s language coordinator is in charge of overseeing translation projects in a specific language.
Language coordinators work in a variety of capacities at colleges and universities. They have the authority to decide which professors should teach which courses in their languages. Some may also help the language department hire new teachers or teaching assistants. A language coordinator may be hired universities with international programs to work on an overseas campus.
Language coordinators are sometimes employed organizations that send people to foreign countries, such as the Peace Corps or the United Nations, to assist workers in learning the language of their host culture. This person should be able to communicate in both English and the language of the host culture. His or her job entails providing formal or informal language instruction as well as resources for independent language study to employees.
Language coordinators may be hired large institutions, such as hospitals, to serve as liaisons. These language coordinators are almost always required to be bilingual (English and Spanish) in the United States. They frequently act as translators or seek out translators for patients who do not speak English fluently. This type of language coordinator may also serve as a public relations officer for communities that do not speak English.
Language coordinators are employed translation agencies, publishing companies, and other organizations that deal with translated materials. All translation projects in a given language are overseen the language coordinator. This person must be fluent in the assigned language and be a native or near-native writer. He or she may serve as an editor, as well as answer grammar and stylistic questions about the language and mentor new translators.