With the boom of technology, the world has become smaller. This is fantastic when it comes to sharing ideas, but it also raises challenges, especially in communication. While a large proportion of the world is bilingual, communication problems across languages and cultures can still cost companies thousands, if not more, in missed opportunities.
So, if you’re looking to work internationally, especially if you’re a native English speaker, here are some key things to consider, from an English as a Second Language teacher who spent four years as the foreigner in the room.
1. Don’t just repeat yourself – rephrase.
This is a very common habit. I’ve seen it everywhere: boardrooms, classrooms, and even a castle in Scotland.
When someone says “what?” or “pardon?”, many English speakers instinctively repeat themselves, usually a bit louder. But volume is rarely the issue. The real problem is often the language used.
If someone didn’t understand you the first time, repeating the same sentence won’t help. Instead, try rephrasing. Use simpler vocabulary, shorter sentences, or a different structure. Being able to adapt your language in real time is one of the most valuable communication skills you can develop in an international environment.
2. Choose your words carefully.
English can feel relatively simple at the beginning, especially compared to languages with complex conjugation systems. However, as proficiency increases, so does the complexity.
Two areas that often cause confusion are phrasal verbs and idioms.
Phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a small word (like up, off, or out) that changes its meaning. For example:
- take up
- take off
- take back
- take away
Each one has a completely different meaning, even though the main verb (take) stays the same.
This creates two main challenges for non-native speakers:
- They may not have encountered that specific phrasal verb before, and many aren’t easy to guess from context.
- If they miss the small word (which is easy to do, especially when tired or stressed), the entire meaning can change or become unclear.
Idioms
Idioms are expressions with fixed meanings, such as “it’s raining cats and dogs.” While that example is quite obvious, many idioms are much subtler and extremely common in professional settings.
Some idioms exist across languages, but many don’t. This means your colleague might understand every individual word you say, but still not understand the meaning of the sentence.
Being mindful of this doesn’t mean avoiding natural English entirely; it just means being aware of when clarity matters more than style.
3. Remember: language is cultural
Language isn’t just about vocabulary and grammar; it’s deeply tied to culture.
When I first started teaching, I attended a training session about communicating across cultures. One example has always stayed with me:
In British culture, we often tell children to look at us when we’re speaking to them, especially if we’re telling them off. However, in some cultures, the opposite is true. Looking away is a sign of respect.
Now imagine a child being told off, trying to be respectful by looking away, while also being told to “look at me when I’m talking to you.” That conflict can be confusing and distressing.
You might think this doesn’t apply to the workplace, but it absolutely does.
Humour, tone, and even what is considered “polite” can vary widely. I once had a Mexican friend describe me as cold, simply because I handled situations more directly than she would have. Neither of us was wrong; we were just operating within different cultural frameworks.
This is especially important when companies rely on automated translations for emails, policies, or training materials. Without an understanding of cultural nuance, the intended message can easily be lost, or worse, misunderstood.
Final thoughts
Working in an international team is incredibly rewarding. It brings together different perspectives, ideas, and ways of thinking that can lead to real innovation.
But good communication doesn’t happen automatically; it requires awareness, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt.
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this:
Clarity is more important than sounding impressive.
Speak to be understood, not just to express.
