Being bi-lingual is a great advantage in today's workplace and your PC could help to boost your language skills.

As the EU opened up to companies and individuals there has been an increasing need for employees who can speak more than their native tongues. Translators are constantly in high demand and many are consulted when firms are drafting together documents in different languages. As workers from different continents take up posts in foreign companies, firms may also like to print publications in a script that they will instantly recognise, to lessen the chance of misunderstandings.

It's clear that a workforce with access to language experts has the edge compared to a company that can only communicate in one tongue. Microsoft Word gives you the opportunity to create files in a language foreign to you, thanks to its in-built translation tools. If you have a large amount of text to convert then you simply click on the review tab in Word 2010 and choose the Translate Document option.

This directs you to Microsoft site where you're able to change the entire document into the chosen language. The advantage of this, is that it is instant and free. Rather than waiting to hear back from outsourced experts, you're able to create this file in seconds. Translators in demand decades ago were usually favoured if they had European or Japanese dialects. But many businesses are attempting to extend their reach beyond the continent and into Asia and the Middle East.

In reflection of this, the translator tool has a good selection of languages, allowing you to convert text to Arabic, Chinese, Thai and tongues that are closer to the UK, amongst others. In addition to directing you to this translating tool, MS Word also has a similar integrated device. So if you simply want to convert a few sentences then you can navigate to the appropriate tool and select the text.

This appears in the pane opened when you activate the research panel. Another way to convert your text within documents is to use the mini-translator. This handy device shows you how the changed text appears when you hover over the area that you've highlighted.

At times you may want to find out how to write just one word in the different language. In this instance, you also able to use this hovering tool by simply placing it over the word concerned and the bi-lingual dictionary will show up. The tool is similar to the one you are directed to when you require chunks of content to be translated.

You're able to choose from a host of different dialects and get communicating with those who talk in different languages. If you're happy with the way your content appears then simply save it, or if it's destined to be placed in another location then you're able to copy it to the clipboard while using the tool. Another useful element to this tool is that it can 'speak'.

Depending on the language the text is converted into, you are likely to find the vocal equivalent of the content is offered to you. This is helpful if you need to speak some foreign phrases written in the document or if you need to brush up on some language skills. The process is the same as when you convert text, but you simply press the speaker icon to hear the phrases spoken.