I enjoy reflecting on how various jobs I’ve had over the years contributed skills and perspective to my current work. Teaching English overseas helped me develop the communication skills I use every day as a content writer, book editor, and writing coach.
Conversational English & Business English
As a senior in college studying abroad, I was privileged to offer weekly lessons in conversational English to a teenage girl in Poland. My goal was to help her build confidence in spoken English. I learned to listen carefully. Paid attention to what motivated her. Found creative ways to help her with conversation. And realized effective communication is about meeting people where they are.
A decade later, I was a visiting lecturer at a Russian university, teaching international relations. I was asked to offer a business English class for a group of students preparing for their careers. My goal was to help them communicate clearly and professionally with confidence. While helping them practice general business vocabulary, I also identified what each student needed the most help with. I helped them adapt their spoken English to different types of audiences. In the process, I learned to appreciate tone, clarity, and context.
Lessons I Still Use Today
My experience teaching English overseas contributed to the work I do today. I still use the lessons I learned in those classrooms.
I learned the importance of focusing on a specific audience, explaining ideas clearly, and choosing words that help people understand and engage. Those skills help me today as a content writer.
I helped individuals express their ideas clearly while preserving their unique voice and understanding their audience. Those skills help me as a book editor.
I encouraged students as they grew in their communication skills, helping them speak English with confidence, and asking them questions to help clarify concepts. Those skills help me as a writing coach.
Looking back, I can see how I wasn’t just teaching English language. I was helping people connect through words. That’s still at the heart of the work I do today.
If you’re just starting out in your working life, be encouraged that every experience contributes to your professional growth. Don’t be surprised if the skills you develop in a job today show up again in a future work setting. The work you do today is always preparing you in some way for the career you’ll have tomorrow.
If you’re interested in reading about my experiences helping my Polish student in conversational English, I’ve written about it on my Exploring Generations blog: English Lessons in a Polish Suburb (opens in a new window).
