During the last two years, a significant portion of my time has been dedicated to a project conducted entirely in a foreign language, Italian. As a business professional accustomed to working in English, which I consider one of my primary languages alongside Maltese, this venture marked a notable departure from my linguistic comfort zone.

Initially, I have to admit, the prospect of working extensively in Italian was met with uncertainty and hesitation. Despite having learnt Italian during my school years, having had sparse exposure to the Italian language throughout my life due to my island’s proximity to Italy and numerous visits to the country, and also having spent a semester in Milan during my university years; the transition to using the language in a professional context presented its difficulties. As one would expect, unless you practise a language daily, you tend to forget it and relearning raises a number of  challenges.  Nevertheless, with a mix of determination and a supportive work environment, I decided to take the plunge.

Certainly, the difficulty extended beyond language barriers; simultaneously, I found myself navigating an entirely unfamiliar industry and project. This marked my introduction into a new industry vertical adding an extra layer of complexity to the undertaking. However, for the purposes of this article, I will centre the discussion on the linguistic hurdles that formed a significant aspect of this multifaceted challenge. Below are some of my personal tips which I have gathered from this experience.

Record all meetings

While it may appear to be a straightforward practice, one of the essential tasks when working in a foreign language is diligently recording and documenting all meetings. Initially, fully engaging in conversations during meetings demanded my undivided attention and concentration. Attempting to take notes during the meeting proved challenging, often resulting, if I tried,  in a loss of the conversation's essence or difficulty to contribute in real-time. Ensuring all meetings were recorded became a crucial strategy, enabling me to revisit discussions as needed and facilitating my personal note-taking in a language where I felt more at ease. Additionally, I implemented a practice of commencing subsequent meetings with a recap of previous discussions, providing an opportunity for any questions that had arisen after the previous session or corrections to any misunderstandings.

Create your own dictionary 

Fluency in casual interactions, such as ordering food in Italian at a restaurant, can differ significantly from using the language in a professional work environment. Particularly in the initial stages, I quickly recognized a plethora of unfamiliar words – not only specific to the industry but also encompassing business jargon. I also encountered words which I knew, but did not know how to use properly in the context of a phrase in conversation. Each encounter with a new term, every correction, and the struggles I had to articulate thoughts prompted me to maintain a record. I called it “my very own Italian dictionary”.  I not only documented the Italian word but also its English counterpart, accompanied by examples illustrating its usage. The wealth of information within meeting recordings proved invaluable for this task. Consistent daily reviews of my personal Italian dictionary became a routine, contributing significantly to the rapid enhancement of my language fluency.

Prepare but don’t memorise 

Striking a balance between preparation and spontaneity is crucial. When delivering presentations during meetings, I planned the content of what I intended to convey in Italian. However, the key lies in avoiding memorization of words or phrases. Instead, it's essential to internalise the information, allowing oneself to articulate thoughts using words that you know.  Use simple language and refrain from using complex grammatical structures until you are comfortable. Fortunately, I had the advantage of English as a fallback language. In instances where I did not find the right words, I could seamlessly revert to English (which is widely understood), ensuring effective communication without compromising the message.

Leverage AI and language translation tools

When engaging in language-specific writing tasks, utilising language translation tools can be immensely beneficial, and serving as a valuable starting point. It is advisable to explore and identify the most effective tool tailored to the foreign language you are dealing with. In my experience with Italian, I have found Deepl to be particularly effective. The application of AI tools like ChatGPT is a topic widely deliberated upon by now. An effective approach is to leverage these tools when working with a foreign language, particularly in the documentation of requirements by requesting outputs in the language you are working with. Rather than relying solely on the translated outputs generated by the tool, it is recommended to find your own voice in the chosen language and ensure that the written content reflects your authentic communication style and uses words that resonate with your personal usage of the language.

Mistakes are inevitable 

 When you're speaking, it's natural and inevitable to catch yourself making mistakes and although the internal cringe may be real, persist in your efforts. Cultivate a positive attitude towards the learning process, viewing mistakes as opportunities for improvement. In our customer facing roles especially, the opportunities to speak the language will be plenty and every conversation is a learning opportunity. Keep smiling, taking a breath, use humour, and staying true to yourself throughout the language-learning journey.

Be open to the experience 

An opportunity of this kind goes beyond simply acquiring new language skills; it unfolds as a gateway to a broader understanding of the world. Beyond the enhancement of linguistic capabilities, the experience has enriched my cultural perspective, offering valuable insights that go beyond the boundaries of language proficiency. Be totally open to whatever the experience will give you.