By Hol Thomas-Wrightson, 12 May 2025
Professional qualifications can be a challenging – though rewarding – step in a compliance professional’s continuous development. That challenge can be magnified for those completing a course in English when it is not their first language.
Compliance is a global concern, which we at ICA see reflected in the wide range of learners that we have studying with us from around the world. For many of these learners, English is not their first language, but that does not prevent them from not only completing our English-language courses, but achieving excellent results, with many graduating with merit or distinction.
So how do they do it? We’ve compiled some top tips to help overcome language barriers and excel in your professional learning.
1. Set clear objectives for yourself
It’s important before you start to identify what your goals are, such as how and when you will complete the qualification, and to make a structured study plan to help you reach these goals. Setting yourself a timeline, working out when you can dedicate time to your studies (e.g. a certain amount of hours on a given day of the week), will help you to manage your learning and prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
Bonus tip: if you set aside a specific, regular time for studying, it can help to communicate this with those around you, such as family or friends, to ensure they don’t make plans that would prevent you from focusing.
2. Use resources, build networks and study groups
While your course materials will be the main source of information for your studies, there are other sources of content to help you. ICA Members have access to the ICA Learning Hub, which offers a wide range of resources specifically designed to support learners, such as guides, webinars, step-by-step checklists and articles.
By joining an ICA course, you will also gain access to a network of peers. Use this as an opportunity to collaborate, discuss technical topics, spark conversation, build connections with each other, share insights, and provide mutual support.
3. Practise English daily and enhance your vocabulary
Boost your fluency in English by establishing habits that incorporate reading, writing, and speaking English into your routine. Try things like reading English news articles, and then asking a friend or colleague if you can practise speaking it to them. This all helps to embed it into your everyday thinking and to familiarise yourself with the language.
To build upon your understanding of more industry-specific terms, look to compliance-based publications like ICA’s inCOMPLIANCE magazine, also available on the ICA Learning Hub. This can help to further build your confidence with professional terminology, and ultimately broaden your vocabulary.
4. Seek feedback
If you find that you’re struggling, never hesitate to ask for feedback and support. Remember that we want you to succeed, and will support you where we can. Talking to instructors and mentors can help to address any language or content-related challenges before they become problems.
Don’t forget our tutors and learning support team are available to help guide you through your learning, and can direct you to resources that might help you further.
5. Stay positive and resilient
While it may seem difficult at times, it’s important to remember that you are doing something you can take pride in. You are working to build your learning, develop your skills, and grow yourself as a professional.
Be confident in your abilities and believe that you can overcome any obstacles you may encounter. Make sure that you are also taking time to rest your mind so that you don’t get burnt out, and in order to reflect on what you have learned to allow it to be properly embedded.
By following these tips and taking advantage of all the resources on offer, you can approach our ICA qualifications with the confidence to succeed, paving the way to advance your career.
Get #ICAqualified today with details of all our available qualifications here.