3 ways English skills and cultural intelligence support global collaboration
Clear, inclusive communication takes more than strong language skills or cultural awareness - it needs both. When developed together, English and intercultural skills support shared understanding, more open teamwork and greater confidence in external communication. With the right support from L&D, these skills can have a meaningful impact across the organisation. With insights from learning and inclusion experts, we share how and what L&D teams can do to support their development.
Whether it’s a team call, a project handover or an informal chat, how we communicate shapes how well we work together. Even when we’re using the same language, we may not always understand things in the same way and that can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities or uneven participation in teams. This is why developing English and intercultural skills side by side matters. While English supports clarity and confidence, intercultural awareness gives people the tools to interpret intent, adapt and connect. It’s not only about culture in the traditional sense. Factors such as job role, seniority and company norms all play a role.
To explore how L&D teams can support people to build these skills, we spoke to Catherine Gater (Head of EDI, British Council English and Exams), Craig Shim (Intercultural Consultant and Founder of Alphacrane Intercultural Specialists), Lucy Butters (Intercultural Strategist and Founder of Elembee), and Tamerlaine Beasley (Founder and CEO of Beasley Intercultural). They shared their insights on why this matters and how to embed it in practical, relevant ways. Read on to explore three key areas where developing English and intercultural skills together makes a difference and how L&D can support that development.
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