Proficiency in English is a major advantage in many thriving industries such as travel, advertising, publishing, communication, and research. But a lot of people don’t realize that — given that we are in the era of globalization — a good command of the English is cricual for professionals building their careers in the world of Software Engineering and Information Technology. Here’s why.
IT professionals work in a "global village."
Marshall McLuhan coined the term “global village” to describe how advances in mass communication and information technology have led to the “shrinking” of geographical distances and national borders, bringing countries all over the world together into a more closely-knit global community. One person on one side of the globe is always connected to the rest of the world and enjoys unlimited access to information due to telecommunications and digital technology. People, countries, and industries work in an era of globalization.
In the age of offshore shared services and business process outsourcing companies, the IT sector is just one of the industries that are taking full advantage of globalization. To enter this industry, English proficiency isn't just recommended, it is a requirement. For those in the IT industry, collaborating with your peers, colleagues, and clients from all over the world requires that they speak the language considered the international lingua franca. English is not just the official language of America. It is the second and preferred language by those in the IT field as their means of global communication. It allows them to speak with client and colleagues about their profession and technology across borders.
Versatile and Agile Software Engineers for the global software market.
The role that software engineers play is not limited to writing code for software development. In today's dynamic working environment, where all companies need their entire workforce to be extremely agile, software engineers need to improve their ability to collaborate with other parts of the organization that may not be involved in their specific role. They need to be able to effectively document the entire software development lifecycle in a way that is easily understood by others and discuss the technicalities subjects with end-users and clients. While companies may hire project managers, dedicated technical writers, and documentation specialists for these tasks, software engineers still need to be able to provide input that other teams and roles can work with. The ability to effectively communicate in English is necessary for performing these tasks and roles.
IT helpdesks support international consumers.
Have you ever tried calling a contact center for support? What language do they use? English. As the language of international business, proficiency in English will allow you to connect with the over 1.5 billion people around the world who rely on it for business communication. English proficiency isn't just limited to basic comprehension and communication. It also includes being able to discuss complex subjects that can be understood by others. For those working in an IT helpdesk role supporting business end-users, you will need to be able to talk about technicalities in a way that can be understood by non-technical lay people.
To succeed in Software Engineering and Information Technology, it is not enough to just be experts in specific technical roles and subjects. Professionals need to also communication skills necessary to get ahead in the industry. Due to the industry's global reach, mastering English is crucial in developing your competency in these skills and proving your value in your organization.
To advance your career in today’s global digital market, improving English communication skills make you more globally competitive as a professional. You should speak the language that is spoken and understood by the many, and that is English. You can start by enrolling in an ESL school that offers General English or TOEFL and IELTS.
About ESL Global Institute
ESL Global Institute (ESLGI) is an English Language Institute where classes are taught by professionals with diverse expertise from different fields such as business and the academe. ESLGI believes that communication is integral to the immigrant’s journey into the United States and offers English classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced adult students. ESLGI helps its students gain more confidence in the English language so they can perform better at school or in the workplace.
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