The Effective Statistician - in association with PSI

Working in an english work environment as a non-native speaker

Apr 3, 2025

Discover how to thrive in an English-speaking work environment as a non-native speaker. Learn the benefits of consuming high-quality English content to enhance your skills. Explore practical tips for writing regularly and using tools like ProWritingAid. Gain confidence by speaking slowly and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Find out how to prepare effectively for meetings, ask for clarification, and surround yourself with supportive colleagues. Remember, your multilingualism is a valuable asset!

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ANECDOTE

Learning English On The Job

Alexander learned most of his English while working in an international environment rather than from school.
He admits he never had very good English grades but improved on the job.

ADVICE

Consume And Mimic Quality English

Consume high-quality English content like podcasts, TED Talks, books, and original-language films.
Mimic native speakers by repeating phrases to improve pronunciation and intonation.

ADVICE

Write Often And Use Tools

Write regularly: start a blog, LinkedIn posts, or daily journaling in English.
Use writing tools like ProWritingAid and read your writing out loud to spot unnatural phrasing.

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Friday Episode with Alexander

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

✔ How I improved my English on the job (despite not having great grades in school)

✔ Why consuming high-quality English content (like podcasts, TED Talks, and books) made a big difference

✔ Tips for writing regularly—even journaling—and using tools like ProWritingAid

✔ How slowing down when speaking actually makes you sound more confident

✔ Why making mistakes is part of the process—and doesn’t reflect on your intelligence

✔ Simple phrases I use to clarify or ask questions in meetings

✔ How to shift your mindset from perfection to communication

✔ The power of practicing with others and surrounding yourself with supportive people

🔧 Who It's For:

✔ If you’re working in a global team, attending meetings in English, or just want to become more confident in how you communicate at work, this episode is for you—especially if English isn’t your first language.

🎯 Final Thought:

Being a non-native speaker means you’re already multilingual—and that’s a strength. With practice and the right mindset, you’ll thrive in any English-speaking work environment.

Resources & Links

🔗 ProWritingAid – A helpful writing assistant tool I personally use
🔗 The Effective Statistician Academy – I offer free and premium resources to help you become a more effective statistician.
🔗 Medical Data Leaders Community – Join my network of statisticians and data leaders to enhance your influencing skills.
🔗 My New Book: How to Be an Effective Statistician - Volume 1 – It’s packed with insights to help statisticians, data scientists, and quantitative professionals excel as leaders, collaborators, and change-makers in healthcare and medicine.
🔗 PSI (Statistical Community in Healthcare) – Access webinars, training, and networking opportunities.

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