Communication Barriers for Foreign-Trained Professionals

Canada attracts many skilled professionals from around the world. These include physicians, nurses, engineers, researchers, university/college teaching assistants, translators, accountants, and many others in the academic, information technology, scientific, business, and health care professions. Some of these well-educated professionals come from countries where English is not the mother tongue, and they soon discover that their limited oral English skills serve as an employment barrier. They may experience difficulty securing a job in their field of expertise or advancing in their chosen career.

Career advancements typically lead to increased interaction with managers, clients, and colleagues. With each job promotion, an employee becomes responsible for chairing more meetings, carrying out more interviews, and giving more presentations. In a world where business is increasingly conducted via cell phones, teleconferencing, and video conferencing, inadequate communication skills are likely to hinder an employee's job performance and career growth. This disadvantage may occur despite an employee's strong command of written English, high level of technical expertise, and impressive experience. The employee's credibility and overall competence may even be questioned by native English speakers who have difficulty understanding their "foreign accent".

Customer service skills are another valuable asset in today's businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality industries. Customer service professionals must understand their clients' needs and at the same time, make themselves understood when offering their products or services. Individuals with a lack of necessary listening and speaking skills in this field may very well encounter limited employment opportunities. Likewise, professionals in marketing, journalism, and the media must understand that how a message is conveyed is just as important as the message itself. Sales executives, broadcasters, and actors must use their voice professionally to persuade, inform, and entertain listeners.