For many international employees, working in a global company means using English as the main language of communication. Whether it's joining international conference calls, presenting updates, or going on business trips abroad, using English is often a daily part of the job. But for those whose first language isn’t English, this can bring a unique set of challenges—ones that often go unnoticed.

One of the most common difficulties is participating in international calls. Without face-to-face interaction, it’s harder to pick up on body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice. Fast speech, unfamiliar accents, and idioms can make it hard to keep up, even for those who are quite fluent. You may find yourself focusing more on understanding what’s being said than thinking about how to respond—and by the time you’ve figured it out, the conversation has already moved on.

This can lead to a lack of confidence, even when you know your job well. You might worry about making a mistake in grammar or pronunciation, or feel unsure about whether you understood something correctly. Because of this, many non-native speakers choose to stay quiet during meetings, not because they have nothing to say, but because speaking up feels like a risk.

Business trips add another layer of difficulty. Communicating in English all day—while navigating airports, hotels, local customs, and small talk with colleagues—can be exhausting. Even simple tasks take more mental effort, and any misunderstandings can cause stress or frustration.

There are also the cultural subtleties of English to consider. Native speakers often use jokes, slang, or indirect language that doesn’t always translate easily. These moments can create feelings of exclusion or confusion, especially in informal conversations where relationships are built.

If you relate to any of these challenges, know that you’re not alone. Many international employees go through the same experiences. The good news is, there are ways to manage them. Try to:

• Prepare in advance for meetings and calls, with key points or phrases written down.

• Ask for clarification when needed—this shows confidence, not weakness.

• Practice regularly, even outside work, to improve your comfort with spoken English.

• Talk to your manager about support options, like language training or cultural workshops.

And most importantly, remember: your ideas, experience, and perspective matter. Don’t let language be a barrier to your voice. Being multilingual is a strength—one that adds real value to global teams. It often helps to talk through the nuances of a country or countries before you talk to the people there or before your business visit. Take my Country Talk lesson and lets talk through a country that you are most interested in or concerned about. I have been to and worked in almost 120 countries, so it is very likley I can talk with some degree of confidence about the country you would like to discuss. For a short period of time, there is a 50% discount.