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Ukrainian developers and English

Considering Ukraine one of the top-requested IT offshoring destinations, it's essential to discuss the level of English knowledge among its tech specialists

08 October 2024

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The role of English in the modern world is invaluable. It is considered the most commonly used language. More than 450 million people consider it their family. Another 600-650 million citizens use English as an additional language for communication. It is assumed to be in demand in many countries around the world. Knowledge of a given language's vocabulary and grammar is essential to studying abroad. Those who want to find a prestigious and well-paid job cannot do without it.

In 2024, no one will argue that knowledge of English is extremely important for a citizen in any country because English is connected with all spheres of life. The areas of the Internet and communications stand out in particular. After all, most content on the Internet is created and distributed in English. Here, knowledge of English makes it easier to access information, communicate on social networks, and use various online services.

If we talk about employment, then not so long ago knowledge of a foreign language was considered only one of the advantages. But now, often, knowledge of English is a mandatory criterion for hiring a good job. This is especially true in international companies and for those who work in the fields of IT, medicine, science, business, and other industries. Knowledge of English significantly expands opportunities for career growth and professional development.

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LEVEL OF ENGLISH IN UKRAINE

There is a tendency in the Ukrainian labor market towards in-depth study of the English language. It's no secret that Ukraine is half a step away from joining the EU, so the issue of learning English is becoming an extremely important factor in Ukraine's relations with countries of the European Union. According to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 88% of people consider learning English mandatory.

The state, in turn, contributes to the progress of the general level of English in the country. At the moment, many free English courses for programmers are open in Ukraine. One of the most widespread was the presidential bill on English as a language of international communication. The state will pay for English language courses through the ePidtrymka program. Of course, there are also private courses such as Babbel, Green Forest, and Prometheus, which also provide free English courses for Ukrainian developers. Moreover, some of them have been open since 2014.

In addition to specific courses, learning English is freely available: YouTube channels, Internet resources, and applications. Also, every developer has the opportunity to enroll in offline courses to learn English. British Council research shows that English teachers in Ukraine have a high level of knowledge: more than 90% of them have CEFR C1/C2. Some teachers set the bar for the foundation on which innovation and language policy will be built in the future.

IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH IN THE IT SECTOR

Proficiency in English in the IT field is considered not just an advantage but a necessity. It opens doors to international companies and allows you to improve your hard skills while climbing the career ladder.

Code work is usually done as a team, so sharing comments is important. This requires a certain vocabulary. English for the IT profession also includes the ability to express one’s ideas when communicating with customers, that is, to use English that is understandable to them and not oversaturated with specific terms. This is where the ability to describe causes and effects with confident and clear reasoning comes in handy. In addition, a significant part of the work of an IT specialist is occupied by research and study of new products, updates, frameworks, and libraries. Most information can be found in English.

IT specialists often point out that English for programmers is easier for them to improve. They communicate freely with colleagues when working on a project, but normal communication outside the office is difficult for them. If a specialist works remotely, this is not a problem. If the goal is to get a job in a foreign company with relocation to European or American countries, then English will be needed for everyday communication.

The level of English knowdlge needed in the tech sphere

KNOWLEDGE OF UKRAINIAN DEVELOPERS

IT companies often employ teams from different countries, and then English becomes the official language of communication. In this case, at the very least, you need to understand what is happening in work chats and on daily calls. Since the IT field is constantly evolving, we must always monitor new trends. The easiest way to do this is if you know English.

Of course, Ukrainian developers do not stand aside, since, as DOU analytics suggests, every six months the number of developers interested in learning English increases.

Nowadays, English is the key to accessing the world's resources, new technologies, innovation, and professional growth opportunities. In general, knowledge of English is becoming increasingly important for a successful career in the IT field, and today about 85% of Ukrainian IT professionals speak English at an Intermediate level or above, and 50% have an Upper-Intermediate or Advanced level.

The salaries of developers with advanced language skills are very different from the salaries of developers with less strong English skills. And this is not surprising, because rewarding developers for speaking English will not only help them better absorb new knowledge and skills but will also open doors to international cooperation, career opportunities, and personal development.

9 REASONS TO START LEARNING ENGLISH RIGHT NOW

English is the language of the global IT industry, and its importance to non-native IT professionals cannot be overstated. Here are a few reasons why English is extremely important for IT professionals:

1. Standardization in the industry: English is used as a standard for various specifications, protocols, and industry standards. Familiarity with these standards is important for developers working on projects that adhere to international standards.

2. Employment opportunities: Many international IT companies require their employees to speak English. Job postings, interviews, and daily communication in the office are often conducted in English. Strong language skills improve employment opportunities and career growth.

3. Career growth and leadership roles: Developers at higher levels of their careers can take on leadership roles or participate in cross-functional activities. Knowledge of English is often a requirement for management positions and effective communication with different teams.

4. International cooperation: English is the main language of communication in the global IT community. IT projects often involve collaboration between teams located in different countries. Knowledge of English enables computer engineers to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders from around the world.

5. Communicating effectively with clients from around the world: In service-oriented roles, communicating effectively with clients is critical. Proficiency in English enables staff to understand customer requirements, provide updates, and professionally resolve issues.

6. Access to knowledge: Most technical resources, including documentation, tutorials, forums, and online courses, are available in English. Knowledge of English allows IT professionals to access a wealth of information and follow the latest trends and best practices in the industry.

7. Attend conferences and seminars: IT professionals often attend conferences and seminars to stay abreast of industry trends and innovations. These events are usually held in English, so language skills are essential for active participation and networking.

8. Contributing to open source: Many open source projects and communities use English as their primary language of communication. Participating in open-source projects can be a valuable experience and a way to improve your reputation in the IT community.

9. Code Documentation and Comments: In software development, code documentation and comments are key to understanding and maintaining the code. English is the standard language for these purposes, making it essential to be able to read and write technical documentation in English.

In summary, knowing English facilitates collaboration, access to resources, career development, and effective communication in an industry based on shared knowledge and innovation.

the high tech level of Ukrainian dedicated developers

ENGLISH FOR IT SPECIALISTS: USEFUL RESOURCES FOR LANGUAGE PASSING AND LEARNING

Learning professional English today is not so difficult, especially with the help of modern technologies. We have collected for you a selection of useful web resources that will be useful to everyone who works in areas related to new technologies.

Dictionaries with IT terminology: TechTerms, Computer Hope, English4it, Computerlanguage, Gartner Glossary. These are online dictionaries of computer terms that are sorted by category. The sites provide a detailed explanation for each concept with examples of use. In addition, on some of them, you can consolidate your knowledge with the help of special tests that are available on the platform.

Online tutorials and platforms for learning English: BusinessEnglishSite, BlairEnglish. You will be able to learn new words from various topics and immediately practice knowledge while performing exercises and reading texts. Usually, all tasks are structured according to the level of English language proficiency. The tasks on the site are suitable for intermediate and advanced levels, but there are separate tests that are designed specifically for beginners.

IT video content: Google Developers, ProgrammingKnowledge, The Go Programming Language, The PC Security Channel. Information presented in video format is mostly perceived more qualitatively and interactively. Especially since most of these channels can be found on YouTube.

Conclusion

First of all, the English language is a tool with the help of which opportunities for development at work grow at least twice, and Ukrainian developers undoubtedly understand this.

An IT specialist needs to have a good command of the English language to effectively communicate with colleagues and international clients, have access to relevant resources, and build a successful career. It is impossible to overestimate its importance in various spheres of modern human activity, which makes its study and use relevant and necessary.

If you have any questions or have an idea about hiring a team of professional developers in Ukraine, we would be glad to fuel your business idea with our services: contact.us@gointeractive.co