IT engineers have a high chance of getting a job with English skills. However, if you are not confident in your English skills, you may be wondering how to study English. In this article, we will explain why English skills are an advantage when looking for a job, how to improve your English, and how to study English.

We will also introduce the level of English proficiency that global companies in Japan are looking for in their engineers, so please check to see if your current English level is a good fit for your desired place of employment. If you are an engineer looking to find a place of employment at a global company where you can make use of your English skills, we recommend the global recruitment agency “G Talent”.

If you are an engineer, being able to speak English will give you an advantage in your job search!

Engineers working in Japan have a high chance of being at an advantage in their job search if they can speak English. The following four reasons are given as to why this is the case.

• Because programming languages are based on English
• Because the latest information is released in English
• Because offshore development is becoming more common
• Because there are IT companies where English is the official language

Because programming languages are based on English

Programming languages are basically based on English. For this reason, learning English is not just about memorizing programming languages, but also understanding the meaning of English words in source code, which is one of the main reasons why it is advantageous when looking for a job.

For example, the English words “if” and “else” are used in various programming languages, such as C, Python, JavaScript and Ruby. By learning English, you can smoothly master programming and be active in your job.

Reference: 英語教育も？！プログラミングと英語の意外な関係／パプナビ

Because the latest information is released in English

the IT field, which engineers are involved in, is developing around the world, and in particular, the IT companies that lead the world are mostly English-speaking companies such as Google and Apple. For this reason, the latest information in the IT industry is generally released in English.

Even in this day and age, when translation software is so advanced, being able to read English without using translation software will help you to understand it more quickly. In order to be the first to catch the latest information in the industry, engineers who want to be successful in their chosen career should acquire English skills.

Reference: ITエンジニアに必要な英語力とは？よく使う単語やおすすめ勉強法など紹介／ユニゾンキャリアメディア

Because offshore development is becoming more common

in recent years, offshore development is progressing in Japan, with system design and specification writing being carried out in Japan and programming being outsourced to companies overseas due to reasons such as a shortage of IT personnel. For this reason, personnel who can speak English are highly valued as those who can communicate with local staff. As offshore development is expected to continue to progress, the scarcity value of IT personnel who can speak English is expected to increase.

Reference: あらためて、オフショア開発とは｜日本においてオフショア活用が進む理由／SHIFTASIA

Because there are IT companies where English is the official language

In Japan, the number of IT companies that have made English their official company language is increasing. At companies where English is the official company language, some companies recommend that employees obtain a certain level of TOEIC score or higher when they join the company, so having English skills can be an advantage when looking for a job.

For example, Rakuten, Inc., a world-famous IT company, requires a TOEIC score of 600 for mid-career hires in the member class, 650 for the management class, and 800 for the executive class as of 2021. Engineers with English skills have a higher chance of being able to work at their desired place of employment.

Reference: デジタル転職Q&A／win3

The advantages that engineers with English skills can gain in their place of employment

The following are the five advantages that engineers with English skills can gain in their place of employment.

• You can participate in a variety of projects
• It becomes easier to communicate both within and outside the company
• You can work more efficiently
• You can expect to receive better treatment and career advancement
• You are more likely to be given the opportunity to work on overseas projects or to be stationed overseas

You can participate in a variety of projects

Engineers with English skills have a high chance of being able to participate in a variety of projects at their place of employment. For example, if you work for a company that does offshore development, you can play a role in connecting Japanese companies with overseas engineers by making use of your English skills. If your English skills are good, you may be able to participate in projects with overseas companies.

In recent years, the number of foreign engineers working in Japan has been increasing, so there is also the possibility of being able to take on a management position overseeing a development team that includes foreign engineers.

Reference: プロジェクトマネージャーが英語を使えることで得られるメリット／レバテックキャリア

It becomes easier to communicate both within and outside the company

Engineers who can use English will find their work scope broadens, and at the same time, it will become easier to communicate both within and outside the company. In the case of offshore development, it is also a benefit that you can create a good atmosphere because you can have casual conversations in English with engineers of various nationalities.

In recent years, the shortage of IT personnel in Japan has led to an increase in the number of foreign engineers. As a result, engineers who can use English can communicate with other English-speaking engineers in the company without the need for translation software, making it easier to build relationships of trust.

Reference: ハイブリッドコミュニケーションの世界で活躍するエンジニアへのソリューション／GDI

You can work more efficiently

For a variety of reasons, including the increase in the number of foreign engineers and offshore development, there are more and more opportunities to use English in the IT industry. Engineers who can't speak English use translation software or interpreters, but one of the advantages of having English skills is that you can communicate directly, which makes work more efficient.

If you work for a global company, there is also a high possibility that you will need to read English documents and materials. In this case too, having English skills will allow you to catch information efficiently. As an infrastructure engineer, when responding to problems with network services that are being developed globally, you will also be able to speed up the process from investigation to resolution, which will be advantageous.

Reference: インフラエンジニアに英語力は必要か？英語力を身につけるメリットや水準を紹介！／パーソルクロステクノロジー

You can expect to receive better treatment and career advancement

One of the benefits of being an engineer with English skills is that you can expect to receive better treatment and career advancement. By working for a global company, engineers with English skills can communicate with clients in English and be evaluated as highly valuable personnel, which is advantageous. Furthermore, being able to quickly catch up with the latest information means that you can improve your skills more quickly, and it is easier to enhance your career and skills.

Reference: 英語ができるエンジニア/キャリア(人生の選択肢)が超絶に変わります！【インフラエンジニア編】／MOUFLA BLOG

You are more likely to be given the opportunity to work on overseas projects or to be stationed overseas

Engineers who can speak English can also respond directly to overseas projects. The chances of being posted overseas also increase, and the possibility of being involved in a variety of work increases compared to engineers who cannot speak English. If overseas projects and overseas postings increase, it will also be advantageous for future career development. For engineers who want to be active with an eye on overseas, acquiring English is a must.

Reference: 外駐在のメリットと、その先にあるキャリア。海外勤務求人も紹介／JAC Recruitment

English language ability required of engineers by Japanese global companies

The following are typical levels of English language ability required of engineers by Japanese global companies.

• A minimum TOEIC score of 700
• A general understanding of English IT terminology
• Listening and speaking ability as well as reading and writing ability are also important
• Bilingual and native speakers have a significant advantage

A minimum TOEIC score of 700

In foreign-affiliated companies, global companies, and companies where English is the official language, TOEIC scores are sometimes used as a condition for employment. In the case of general Japanese global companies, a TOEIC score of 700 or above is the minimum line. You will need to understand not only the English used in everyday conversation, but also the English used in business situations, so you should also work on acquiring general business English.

Reference: 【足切りラインはどこ？】外資系企業でのTOEICスコア目安／Gariben式

A general understanding of English IT terminology

To work as an engineer in a global company, you will need to be able to understand most English IT terms. As the English used by engineers differs depending on the type of work they do, you should learn IT terms in English that match your job content. If you can remember not only IT terms but also English related to your industry, you can expect to be more active.

Reference: ITの英語：ITエンジニアが知っておきたい英単語と表現／Think IT

Listening and speaking ability as well as reading and writing ability are also important

In order for engineers to make use of English in their workplace, it is important to have listening and speaking skills as well as reading and writing skills. This is because there are cases where you will be communicating directly with overseas business partners and customers, and English conversation is required.

Furthermore, as the number of foreign engineers is increasing in many IT companies, if you cannot understand Japanese, it is highly likely that communication will be in English. In order to communicate smoothly both within and outside the company, you should also work on your English listening and speaking skills.

Reference: 英語学習は「話す」ことが大切！グローバル組織で働くエンジニアに聞く、学習方法と働き方／Findy Engineer Lab

Bilingual and native speakers have a significant advantage

If you have English skills at the level of a bilingual or native speaker, you will have a huge advantage in the workplace. Because you have English skills at a business level or above, you will be able to think logically and express yourself in English immediately, and you will also find it easier to speak up in meetings. You will have more opportunities to participate in overseas projects and to be posted overseas, and your range of work will expand.

Reference: プログラミングは英語圏の人が圧倒的に有利、もはや卑怯なレベル／Qiita

How engineers who want to be more employable can improve their English

Having English skills is an advantage when looking for a job as an engineer, but there are many people who are wondering how they can improve their English. Here, we will introduce three ways for engineers who want to be more employable to improve their English.

• Study for a TOEIC score of 700
• Specializing in English related to IT
• Create an environment where you can speak English on a regular basis

Study for a TOEIC score of 700
One way to improve your English is to focus your studies on the TOEIC. Many global companies set a minimum score of 700 points on the TOEIC, so studying to achieve this score will help you to acquire English skills that you can use in your work. There are many textbooks and apps that help you to achieve a score of 700 on the TOEIC, so make good use of them.

It is also possible to measure your English ability by converting your TOEIC score to CEFR. CEFR is an international standard for measuring foreign language proficiency and operational ability, and there are six levels ranging from the most basic level, “A1”, to the highest level, “C2”. If you score between 705 and 950 points in TOEIC Listening/Reading, you will be at the “B2” level.

Reference: CEFR(セファール)とは？英語力をCEFRで測る方法とレベルアップのための勉強法／PRONTEST

Specializing in English related to IT

If you are an engineer who uses English at work, it is efficient to learn English vocabulary that is specialized for use in IT. The following are examples of English words that are frequently used in the workplace by engineers.

progress	進捗
function	機能
integration test	総合テスト
unit test	単体テスト
development	開発
requirement definition	要件定義

There are many other English words specific to the IT industry, so let's gradually learn them.

Reference エンジニアに必要な英語力とは？おすすめ勉強法や頻出単語を紹介／産経オンライン英会話Plus

Create an environment where you can speak English on a regular basis

By creating an environment where you can speak English on a regular basis, you can improve your English skills on a regular basis. If you have foreign colleagues at work, try to speak to them in English as much as possible, or take an online English conversation course, and create an environment where you can use English on a regular basis.

Using any spare time you have to learn English vocabulary and phrases that you can use in English conversation is also effective for busy working adults learning English. If you practice repeatedly and can use them naturally in English conversation, you will be able to accelerate your English learning even more.

Reference: しい社会人のための3ステップの英語勉強法と使えるツール5選【継続のコツも解説】／Bizmates Blog

Engineers who want to give themselves an edge in the job market should use “G Talent”

In this article, we have explained why and how engineers who can speak English have an advantage in the job market, as well as the necessary English skills and how to acquire them. By acquiring English skills, engineers can participate in a variety of projects and communicate more easily with people both inside and outside the company.

By acquiring English skills, engineers can also improve their treatment and career prospects, and there is a higher chance of being assigned to overseas postings. Using the methods introduced here as a reference, let's start a brilliant career as an engineer by acquiring the level of English skills required in the IT industry.

If you are looking for a job where you can use English, we recommend "G Talent". G Talent is a job-placement agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. It provides strong support for the job-hunting activities of foreign IT engineers who want to work in Japan, as well as Japanese IT engineers with high English skills. It has a large collection of global job openings where you can use English, so please use it if you want to advance your career as an engineer.