Many foreign-born professionals in R&D or IT fields say they feel limited by their English at work. Although they may have the precise and technical vocabulary for their field, they often lack the fluency and interactional skills to participate fully at work.
What do many foreign professionals say about working in English?
CAL Learning clients have told us:
- They cannot express themselves as fully and profoundly as would like to.
- They have to adjust their thoughts for what they’re capable of saying.
- They are hesitant to speak up in meetings because of limited language skills or a strong accent.
- They have a great depth of knowledge in their areas of expertise, but lack communication skills to express it.
- Although influential in their native languages, they have trouble leading in English.
- They feel they are being passed over for promotion due to their English.
Professionals in these fields need English skills to participate in meetings, discuss technical problems and solutions, communicate facts and figures, deliver presentations, write emails and reports, negotiate, network and business socialize, or even speak on the phone.
Expat development is clearly tied to business objectives. If the employees can’t communicate well, the organization can’t use them to the fullest of their ability. Language training not only helps the employees, but lets the organization tap into and maximizing their human capital talent.