Why does the English Career Network site exist? Is a site for identifying, recruiting and verifying English-proficient professionals really necessary? Is there enough of a market in Brazil for this type of site to be successful? Is there really enough of a demand and need for English-proficiency in this Latin American economy?
If you are willing to believe the best data and statistics- then the answer is, YES- without a doubt. If you are an English-speaking professional YOU are a valuable commodity; as with all commodities, your value increases with quality (proficiency). You can showcase that quality by creating an English Skills Portfolio.
I`ve been working with both companies and professionals in Brazil for 24 years- providing English services and consulting to this market. I know what companies want, and what professionals need in relation to English proficiency. My knowledge comes not only from my professional experiences; but as a business person, I`ve done a lot of serious research into market trends, over the years.
This includes the English 2000 Landmark Review of ELT in Brazil 1997, the British Council, London 1997, by the renown Sarah Walker; English Next, by David Graddol, and distributed by the British Council; the technology and efficacy of TOEFL testing from both ETS sources and their critics; as well as emerging artificial intelligence English-testing platforms. Add to this, industry statistics and trends from UK-based ELGazette, a journal for English language professionals, and data from Cambridge Assessment English.
As was with Latin and Greek, from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, English in today`s world is the differentiator for professionals, putting them in the top-category. You may resent or even hate the “injustice” of it- but it`s a fact. More opportunities, options, money and offers come with English. From multinational conglomerates to medium-sized importers, to little kiosks that deal with tourists on the beach, they all value someone that can communicate in the international language.
How does that work in Brazil? Well, Statistics show that nearly 60% of Brazilians study English; great, right? Not really- since only about 5% of Brazilians say they actually have some proficiency, and only 3% are fluent.
In the last 24 years I have seen many, many Brazilian professionals faking English, knowing that the people interviewing them are not qualified to evaluate them; I`ve seen beautiful and expensive publications from national organizations with bad translations that came directly from Google translator. How many Brazilians can say, “My name is…..”, or “the book is on the table” but can`t explain how to use office equipment or understand directions to the bathroom?
I once reviewed a Brazilian PhD. thesis where the author translated hand grenade (grenada) as, pineapple (abacaxi) because pineapple was a WWII-slang for hand grenade. Worse, the thesis was approved.
That doesn`t function today. English proficiency for companies means new markets and sales; information for innovation and progress; efficient global distribution and supply chains: you can't fake it, nowadays, because it costs companies money and opportunities.
Not long ago, I gained a new client who was a senior executive for a famous multinational IT firm, here in Brazil. He has a great cv, having worked for a couple of decades in other famous IT companies, having taken courses at Harvard and other U.S. tech organizations. He wasn't looking for a job, but he got the attention of a recruiting company. He is very happy where he is, but the opportunities and salary of the new position as a national sales exec is too good to resist. He has already passed several phases of testing and interviews; but 10 days later, he had an interview in English, with the top-management for Brazil, and also globally. It is between him and one other finalist. He came to me, because he believes the decision will be based on English proficiency. He communicates very well in English….but his level is high-intermediate to advanced (B2 -C1). He wants to have every possible advantage.
I`ve also had a client who got a job as a food server on an Italian cruise ship- with no experience; she got the job because she spoke English.
According to Cambridge Assessment English, the most important English skill for Brazilian companies is speaking, followed by reading; the least important is writing. Top Brazilian management professionals have the greatest percentage of people with English-proficiency necessary for job-success (78%) followed by marketing (70%) while the lowest percentage of people with English-proficiency for success is in production and logistics (60% and 61%, respectively).
What these numbers show is that, in Brazil, there is a need for 30 to 40% of English-proficient staff that is not satisfied by the supply, This is why this site is valuable in putting English-proficient professionals together with the companies that need them.
If you want the hard, cold facts, the statistics on the demand for English-proficiency in Brazil, shown by skills, abilities and professional sectors, click on this link:
http://englishatwork.cambridgeenglish.org/
If you were able to read and understand this article in English, you should definitely consider registering your portfolio here- your future may depend on it.