》 So, learn their language or find someone who you trust who can speak it. I agree on this point, but at a cultural, not language level. It's important to und

》 So, learn their language or find someone who you trust who can speak it. I agree on this point, but at a cultural, not language level. It's important to understand the personal goals and challenges of employees, wherever in the world, and sometimes they're quite different. On English in schools: China's high school qualification requires a 2nd language, which contributes 150 points to the total score (750), at the same level as Maths and Chinese (it then gets a bit complex depending on city and stream, but around 10 subjects are usually studied in a comprehensive school). It is required to pass in order to get a high school graduation certificate. Which is why the 9 year old can translate something. The thing is, it's not based on speaking. It's rote memorisation of grammar rules. And hated, as there's little practical application. On cross-cultural communication and hiring: And foreigners often just don't get that, resulting in patronising slowing down of speaking but absolutely no change/simplification of vocabulary. Or just no adaptation. Hence the eye-rolling. I'm in the Northeast, and it is indeed a challenge getting free-flowing conversation going with someone based on their selection itself based on paper qualifications. But it is a myth that English is a problem for the right people. Just interview for it.