Living and working in an English-speaking country isn’t as simple as mastering the grammar. There are so many customs and nuances to pick up on that hardly a week goes by when even the most competent non-native English speakers aren’t faced with one of the following situations in the workplace.
Many new English speakers report that they have more trouble understanding native English speakers than they do non-native English speakers. In fact, they find it easier to communicate with other people who’ve just learned English, even if their first languages aren’t the same.
This is because “classroom English” - the kind you learn in school that is heavily based on grammar and vocabulary - is a big equalizer. People who grew up with English pepper their speech with regional words, slang, and colloquialisms making it very difficult for someone who learned textbook English to keep up.
Also: Native English speakers tend to speak rather quickly.
Tip: If you regularly find yourself in this situation, it’s a sign that your English language practice has evolved past textbooks and needs to move into the real world.
Every industry is awash with buzzwords and expressions. Even people who have worked in an industry for years have trouble keeping up with the latest terms. The difference is that those people have the experience to know when a buzzword is an unnecessary fad. For a non-native English speaker who has just entered an organization, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and insecure about using these terms.
And sometimes, it isn’t about specific lingo. There are some industries where there is an entirely different manner and tone for addressing people. The hospitality industry is a great example. Even if you treat your friends with love and respect, you don’t speak to a hotel guest the same way you speak to a friend.
Tip: Avoiding awkward interactions with customers or silences with colleagues requires practice.
In the workplace and in social settings, there are several opportunities for awkward moments. Ever notice a colleague suddenly become cold to you after a meeting you thought went well? Chances are, you committed to a small social infraction you hadn’t even noticed.
Things like not engaging in chit chat or not starting a request the “right” way can cause tensions between co-workers. Here are a few things to remember for your next meeting or interaction to avoid any awkward workplace situations:
Meetings are a mix of everything that is exasperating for non-native English speakers. There’s a lot of chit chat, indirect requests, industry jargon, and slang.
Tip: Look for ways to get the gist of the meeting. Try:
Networking events are a fantastic way to make new contacts and advance professionally. But they are such a mix of the social and the professional that the thought of attending one fills a lot of people with anxiety, especially if English is not their first language.
Tip: Don’t avoid these. Not only are they a great way to meet other people in your industry, they are also a fantastic opportunity to practice your conversation skills.
Navigating social norms and smoothing ruffled feathers is exhausting, but it is entirely possible with some confidence, practice, and perseverance.
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