The reasons why you don’t need perfect English

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 understand.

3. Your colleagues will have more patience with you (hopefully).

4.  You can ask someone around you to repeat something more often. (You’ll never look stupid and will have more time to think about what is being said and how you can react to it.)

5. You’re gaining the valuable knowledge and experience of a foreign working environment, which will always keep you in good stead. Another feather in your cap!

And one more advantage (which just has to be said):

6. When you try to revert to your own language, say, to make a private call, no one around you will have a clue what you are speaking about. This is particularly handy in open-space offices.

Do not be afraid of making mistakes, be brave, and always speak with the self-confident.

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 understand.

3. Your colleagues will have more patience with you (hopefully).

4.  You can ask someone around you to repeat something more often. (You’ll never look stupid and will have more time to think about what is being said and how you can react to it.)

5. You’re gaining the valuable knowledge and experience of a foreign working environment, which will always keep you in good stead. Another feather in your cap!

And one more advantage (which just has to be said):

6. When you try to revert to your own language, say, to make a private call, no one around you will have a clue what you are speaking about. This is particularly handy in open-space offices.

Do not be afraid of making mistakes, be brave, and always speak with the self-confident.