The reasons why you don’t need perfect English By: Mahesa Sidarta When a non-native speaker of English works in an English-speaking environment there are obvious disadvantages: We, as the non-native speaker, may not understanding everything; you may feel that you’re the odd one out; you may even be excluded from or not be able to participate in certain cultural or social events. However, we’re going to be positive and take a light-hearted look at the advantages of having less-than-perfect English when all around you there are native speakers. Here are the tips: 1. As a foreigner you may be shown more respect simply because you are able to work in a foreign language. (Let’s face it, how many British or Americans can manage more than a few phrases in a foreign tongue, let alone are able to survive and work in that language?) 2. As a non-native speaker you can change your mind later or alter your position on something simply by apologising and saying that you didn’t fully...