EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is about the importance of confidence for Thai professionals who speak English at work. You will learn why confidence is the key to effective communication and the ways in which confident English-speaking employees help companies.
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When we talk about learning English in order to communicate more effectively the workplace, many people think it’s all about vocabulary or grammar.
While those things are important, there’s one element that often gets overlooked but is critical: CONFIDENCE to speak English.
- Thai professionals might have a lot of English grammar knowledge and professional vocabulary, but if they’re not confident enough to use those skills in real situations, there is a “language barrier” and they can’t communicate effectively.
- If your company would like your employees to speak English at work more effectively, you should consider prioritizing English communication skills training that instills confidence.
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Give Your Employees Confidence to Speak English at Work
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Confidence Makes English Feel Natural
Most Thai professionals already know quite a bit of English. But many hesitate to speak because they’re afraid of feeling embarrassed from making mistakes or being misunderstood.
They are shy in business meetings, on calls with clients, or even in casual office conversations. The more shy they feel, the less they engage – and when they do engage it is often hesitantly.
Confidence changes all that. When employees are confident, they stop second-guessing themselves. They trust that they can communicate effectively, even if their English isn’t perfect.
- This is because they start to develop a habit of using English, and they become more concerned with getting their message across than with perfect sentence structure.
- Imagine how much smoother communication will be between Thai and farang employees in your organization if everyone understands perfection isn’t necessary.
Confident Employees Drive More Productive Meetings
How often do your employees stay quiet in English-language meetings because they don’t feel confident enough to contribute?
This is a missed opportunity not just for the employee but for the company. Valuable ideas might be left unsaid simply because someone is too shy to speak up.
When employees have confidence to use their English skills, meetings become much more dynamic. Instead of just listening and nodding along, they ask questions, offer suggestions, and clarify points.
- This level of engagement doesn’t just benefit the individual, it benefits the entire team. A more engaged workforce leads to better problem solving, more creative ideas, and faster decision making.
- Over time, it creates a workplace culture where English is seen as an advantage, not an obstacle.
Confidence Improves Client Relations
For companies in Thailand, particularly those dealing with international clients or partners, confident communication is critical.
Let’s consider an example. Suppose a client contacts your company with a concern about a project. If your team is shy about replying in English, the response might be delayed and, when a reply is finally given, it might not fully address the issue.
In contrast, a confident English-speaking employee would respond quickly, clearly, and effectively, making the client feel heard and reassured.
- Clients not only appreciate timeliness, clarity, and professionalism, they expect it. When your employees can communicate confidently in English, they project these qualities.
- Confidence doesn’t just enhance customer-service interactions, it strengthens relationships. Clients and partners are more likely to trust and remain loyal to companies where communication is reliable – and trust translates into long-term business growth.
Investing in Confidence Boosts Retention and Job Satisfaction
When employees feel confident in their abilities, they naturally feel better about their work. English can often feel like a problem for many Thai professionals, so when companies invest in making employees’ lives easier, they notice.
- It shows that the company values employee growth and development.
- Employees are more likely to stay with a company that equips them for success. For companies, this means lower turnover and a workforce that grows stronger and more capable with time.
Final Thoughts
In today’s global business environment, confidence to speak English is critical. Because without it, even the best English training can go to waste.
By focusing on building confidence alongside language skills, Thai companies can see vast improvements in meetings, client relations, and job satisfaction.
- Confident employees are engaged employees — and that’s something every business can benefit from.
- So, next time you think about English training, remember that confidence is the key to effective communication.
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Visit our Contact Us page to inquire about English communication skills training for employees in Bangkok. Or, schedule a discovery call with ECSC’s founder, Don Gorr.
