It’s only been a few years since the boom of remote work, but Filipino professionals have already been working internationally for years— specifically through the BPO industry which employs over 1.44 million Filipinos. Filipino remote workers with English skills have been making their mark around the world, from customer service to digital marketing.
A notable strength that sets Filipino virtual employees apart is their English proficiency, among many others. This is relevant because research from Page Personnel showed that 60% of the roles in this workspace are in English. In this blog, we will explore the factors that make Filipinos excellent communicators in English and why this proficiency is essential for your remote team.
Exploring the Strengths of the Filipino Remote Workforce
Filipino remote workers are in high demand, and it’s not just because of their technical skills or work ethic. Filipinos possess a unique set of strengths that make them valuable additions to remote teams. Among these strengths is Filipinos’ adaptability. They are quick to embrace new languages, cultures, technologies, and processes, making them versatile team members who can thrive in dynamic work environments.
Why English Proficiency Matters in Remote Work
Let’s explore why English proficiency matters in remote work and how it can impact both remote employees and businesses.
Overcoming Language Barriers
Remote teams frequently include employees with diverse linguistic backgrounds. English, as a worldwide lingua franca, provides a link between the members of this diverse group. This language will most likely be used to convey ideas, instructions, and comments. Thus, it is important for remote employees to learn how to clearly and effectively communicate.
Improving Team Dynamics and Collaboration
Remote teams cannot function without effective collaboration. Speaking or messaging one another most often depends on how well you can express yourself in the language. It’s valuable for your teams if your remote employees can confidently participate in brainstorming sessions and decision-making processes. This is affirmed by the State of Business Communication 2023 report. 72% of surveyed business leaders agree that effective communication boosts productivity while 52% of employees are of the same opinion.
English proficiency ensures that team members can articulate their thoughts, share insights, and provide constructive feedback, all of which contribute to a more productive and harmonious work environment. The study “Leveraging Language Proficiency Through Cultural Intelligence to Improve Global Virtual Team Performance” confirms this. The researchers studied 895 remote teams and found a positive correlation between language proficiency and team performance.
Effective Client Communication
A HubSpot research reported that businesses that provide high-quality customer service have a 93% chance of earning repeat purchases. In connection with this, many remote roles, whether in customer service, sales, or project management, entail client interactions. Clients want to feel heard and understood. Consequently, your virtual employees will need to be adept at responding to them. Smooth dialogs are essential when interacting with clients, especially since clients want to feel heard.
Furthermore, clients often regard good English skills as an indication of competence and dependability. Your remote employees’ proficiency increases customer satisfaction and loyalty by instilling trust in the services or products being delivered.
Bilingualism Benefits: How Filipino Remote Workers Shine
The bilingualism of Filipino remote workers distinguishes them. They are fluent not just in English, but also in their home languages. This bilingualism empowers them to cater to clients and businesses that require English-language services without the need for extensive language training. This not only saves companies time and resources but also improves the quality of work done.
Filipino Culture and the English Language
To grasp the importance of English proficiency in the Philippines, you must look into Filipino culture. Filipinos are exposed to English from a young age. These circumstances are advantageous according to research stating that even spending 5 hours of language exposure as a child promotes language learning.
Filipinos have a long history of cultural exchange, and their openness to new ideas has contributed to their English skills. The influence of Hollywood, music, and literature, as well as American colonization, have all had a vital effect in molding the way English is used and understood in the country.
Moreover, English proficiency is deeply embedded in the education system. In schools, English is the medium of instruction, and pupils are encouraged to use it in their daily lives. From an early age, this intensive environment fosters a firm foundation in the language.
Hiring Filipino Remote Workers with Strong English Skills
When you intend to engage Filipino remote workers, you must first evaluate their English proficiency. Language exams, interviews, and portfolio evaluations can all assist in evaluating if an applicant has the requisite level of English ability. The employment process should also include clear communication about language requirements and support for skill improvement.
Nurturing English Proficiency in Your Remote Team
Once you have Filipino remote workers on your team, you can continue to develop their English skills. Encourage team members to use English when communicating and provide optional language enhancement programs. You can help them improve their language abilities by actively encouraging them to use the language.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Filipino remote workers are valuable assets for your remote team. Their adaptability, bilingualism, and strong English proficiency make them stand out in the global workforce. Understanding the cultural factors that contribute to their English proficiency can help you make informed decisions when hiring and managing your remote team. Embrace the talent and communication skills that Filipino remote workers bring to the table, and you’ll be on your way to building a successful and productive remote team.
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