The 12 Best Jobs for People Who Don’t Speak English – Zippia

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Summary. Jobs for people who don’t speak English include commercial truck driver, locksmith, and tour guide. If you choose to learn English for a job, it’s important to find work that allows for you to speak your native language while having opportunities to speak English and learn it on the job.

Sure, you’ve got some reading and writing under your belt, but the truth is that spoken English is still giving you trouble. That can be difficult when you’re trying to find a job in the United States, where most roles require some level of English fluency.

Maybe you feel nervous about even going in for an interview, fearing that the hiring manager might judge your speaking skills. Don’t worry; you’re not alone.

Luckily, you can take comfort in knowing that there are several jobs you can work without knowing much English. In fact, many of these jobs offer benefits, flexible scheduling, and other great perks. In many ways, knowing a foreign language can be a huge perk for some employers.

So, let’s dive in and discover the top twelve best jobs for people who don’t speak English.

Key Takeaways:

• There are many job opportunities for people who don’t speak English, ranging from truck driver to kitchen staff.

• These types of jobs require a comfort with working independently.

• Don’t be afraid to learn and practice English at your job. This will open up more professional opportunities.

The 12 Best Jobs for People Who Don’t Speak English

How We Decide Which Jobs Are the Best (and What to Look for Yourself)

It’s important to understand which factors make a job viable for non-English speakers in the U.S.

These factors include:

• Independent work. When you’re working a job that requires little communication, you won’t have to worry about speaking English regularly. That’s why cleaning, driving, and animal care roles are so easy for non-English speakers to get into.

• Using Your Native Language. Every language is valuable, and your native language is no exception. That’s why any job that allows you to speak your language freely is a great option.

• Freelancing. Typically a form of independent contractor work, being a freelancer allows you to pick and choose the jobs that work for you while also maintaining a flexible schedule.

Remember that one of these factors might be more important to you than another, but we will focus mainly on jobs that fit one or more of these criteria for this list. That way, you’ll have several different options across a wide range of industries/fields.

Should I Learn English For My Job?

You can still find a lot of work even if you do not speak English. However, this does limit your career opportunities in the United States. So it all depends on what you want to do and what is realistic for you.

If possible, it is strongly recommended that you learn English. A job that doesn’t require you to speak English is a great place to practice!

For example, consider someone who works in a kitchen but doesn’t speak English. Participating in conversation with other restaurant staff members gives them the chance to work on their English skills and receive real time feedback.

The key is not to be afraid to practice. It takes a lot of courage to speak a new language. Be open to making mistakes and look for ways to improve. There are many online courses that can help you as well.

Jobs for People Who Don’t Speak English FAQ

1. Do you have to speak English to work in America?

   No, you don’t have to speak English to work in America. Some job opportunities that allow you to work without speaking English include truck drivers, kitchen staff, and pet sitters/walkers. Leaning English will open up more opportunities for work while living in the U.S.

2. How long can it take to learn English?

   It can take about a year for someone to learn English. However, things such as your current level of English, how much you practice or study, and how good at you are at learning new languages can all be factors that affect you learning. Everyone will learn a new language at a different pace, so don’t give up learning if you don’t have it down right away.

3. What is the most common language besides English spoken in the U.S.?

   Spanish is the second most common language spoke that is spoken in the U.S. After Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarina are the most common languages spoken in the U.S. with 17 states where it’s the most common.

Final Thoughts

Finding a job in a heavily English-speaking country like the United States can be difficult when you’re not fluent in the language, but it’s more than possible. Any job that allows you to work independently under an employer or freelance is a great start, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

When in doubt, check if your area provides common tests, programs, or licenses you need for some of these jobs in your language. You might be surprised by how bilingual state and government organizations can be.

But regardless, don’t be afraid to get out there in the job market!

References

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Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications.

Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.