The New IT Career Formula: AI + English + Human Skills

AI tools are changing software development fast. Developers are producing more code, managers are coding again, and companies want smaller teams to deliver more results. But technical skills alone are no longer enough. Clear English communication is becoming one of the biggest career advantages in international IT teams.
You've been learning English for years. Your technical skills are solid. So why does it still feel like the job you want is just out of reach? This week's newsletter might explain why — and what to do next.

Want to practice your listening skills? - Here’s a summary of today.
Are you a visual learner? - watch this

1. AI & Tech
   Companies use AI to write most of their code, but managers are starting to code again.
   AI writes 60 percent of code at Airbnb, 50 percent at Shopify, and 75 percent at Google.
   Many engineering managers are no longer just managing people and are returning to coding using tools like Claude Code.
   Direct impact IT professionals need to use AI coding tools to write software faster and expect their managers to review their code directly.
   You must be able to write clear technical instructions in English to guide AI coding assistants.
   *Spend 30 minutes testing a free AI coding tool to write a simple script and practice reading the English output.

2. Jobs
   
   Hiring for tech jobs is changing, with more demand for experienced remote workers but fewer entry-level roles, which is a problem.
   Remote tech roles needing over five years of experience show moderate job growth.
   Job postings for developers increased 15 percent on Indeed, while another source states tech job adverts declined 50 percent since 2019. The sources disagree on whether overall tech job openings are currently growing or falling.
   Remote jobs are available but competition is very high, so you must prove you have several years of practical experience.
   You need to explain your past project experience clearly in English during remote job interviews.
   *Update your resume this week to clearly list the years of experience you have for each technical skill.

3. Skills & Upskilling
   AI skills create much higher salaries, but soft skills are now mandatory.
   IT professionals using AI tools receive salary increases that are 1.5 to 1.7 times higher than the company average.
   Automation has reduced entry-level hiring by 20 to 25 percent at large IT firms.
   You must combine your technical knowledge with strong teamwork and communication skills to get promoted and avoid income stagnation.
   You need to use polite and clear English to show emotional intelligence when solving conflicts in your team.
   *Read one English article about active listening and practice using one new phrase in your next team meeting

4. Workplace & Communication
   Distributed teams require active communication to solve the lack of social cues.
   Distributed teams experience team opacity, which means team members miss non-verbal communication and do not know what others are doing.
   Changing to a shorter workweek requires companies to stop having so many meetings and start using more written asynchronous communication.
   You must actively tell your team what you are working on because they cannot see you in a physical office.
   You need to write clear and structured English messages, like chat updates, without waiting for immediate replies.
   *Write your next daily work update in English using short sentences to clearly explain what you finished and what you will do next.

5. English

For this week’s English section, we focus on a skill that is becoming more important in international IT teams: relationship-building.
In this British Council podcast for professionals*, the speaker explains that relationship-building is not just “team-building.” It is the ability to create and maintain good professional relationships with colleagues, clients, and other teams — both internally and externally.
The podcast gives practical advice that you can use immediately. The message is simple: small daily habits matter. Saying “Good morning,” asking colleagues about their interests, practising small talk, listening carefully, and asking open-ended questions can all help build stronger workplace communication skills. The speaker also stresses the importance of focusing on issues instead of personalities during disagreements — an essential skill in global tech teams.
For many IT professionals, technical skills are no longer enough on their own. Clear, positive, human communication is becoming a key career skill, especially in remote and international environments where collaboration matters as much as coding.
*The lesson also includes 3 practical activities:
Preparation task — introduces key ideas and vocabulary before listening
Task 1 — checks understanding of the main ideas from the podcast
Task 2 — focuses on practical communication strategies and relationship-building techniques

1. A bit of Fun

1. What to Do
   Practice using one AI coding tool this week
   Write a small script and carefully read the English explanations and suggestions the AI gives you.
   Improve your project explanations
   Prepare a short English explanation of one real project you worked on, including the problem, your role, and the result.
   Write shorter work updates
   Use clear, direct sentences in Slack, Teams, or email updates instead of long paragraphs.
   Develop relationship-building habits
   Ask one colleague an open-ended question this week and practise active listening during the conversation.
   Build both technical and human skills
   Continue improving your AI knowledge, but also focus on communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence — these are becoming career multipliers in international IT teams.

2. Quote of the week

“A little bit of IT English…EVERY WEEK!”