The International Visitor Leadership Program uses the services of the Office of Language Services also within the Department of State to provide English Language Officers and Interpreters to accompany International Visitor participants. The Office of Language Services maintains a contract roster of some 1,000 freelance English Language Officers and Interpreters, covering almost every major language. These Interpreters are hired to take short-term travel assignments (usually 2 to 25 days at a time) for projects under the International Visitor Leadership Program and other users as the need arises.

Interpreters accompany foreign individuals and delegations traveling around the United States and interpret for them in professional exchanges on a wide variety of subjects as well as in less formal situations. The mode of interpretation is more often than not simultaneous, which is done with the use of portable interpreting equipment. However, all assignments also require the ability to work in the consecutive mode, since often times there are tours, site visits, and hospitality situations in which simultaneous interpreting is not possible. For more information on becoming an English Language Officer or Interpreter, please visit the Office of Language Services.