There is usually someone on the team who is more fluent than the others. Previously, during incidents, I've asked them to revert to their common language so we can get things moving quicker. I have them remain on the tech bridge and when they give an update it will be in English. I've also found that showing a willingness to learn even just a few words of their language breaks down a lot of barriers. I have no ear or aptitude for spoken language so they usually get a good laugh at my attempt, which is fine with me.

In client engagements ensure having designated specific contacts/Single Point of Contacts managing the external teams, such as a product owner for example. This ensures maintaining the necessary separation and avoids the risk of misclassification under labor law regulations as well as ensures effective communications -On the Client side (e.g. Product Manager, Product Owner, Technical Lead) and -On the vendor side (Scrum Master, Proxy Product Owner, Technical Lead)

To manage language barriers with an offshore IT team, prioritise clear and concise communication by using simple, jargon-free language and visual aids like diagrams or flowcharts to reinforce understanding. Implement collaboration tools with built-in translation features, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack, to facilitate real-time interaction. Foster a culture of patience and inclusivity, encouraging team members to ask clarifying questions and repeat critical information to ensure alignment. Conduct regular training sessions on communication best practices and cultural sensitivity to bridge gaps and enhance team dynamics. Lastly, designate bilingual team leads or translators where necessary to act as liaisons and ensure smooth collaboration.

prioritize simple, clear language and visual aids. Using shared tools like Trello or Miro for workflows increased understanding by 30% in my experience. Regularly scheduled check-ins and encouraging written follow-ups ensure clarity and alignment across the team.

Create a common communication framework in order to avoid false friends and problems involving overly slang expressions. Have a frank discussion, taking care not to offend the local culture of the different stakeholders. Communicate with kindness and, sometimes, firmness.

Some effective techniques I've used assuming the work is being conducted in English... 1) If you have onshore team members who speak the offshore language, give the overall team the opportunity to conduct certain parts of the video conference in their non-English language; same w/ written correspondence; you can be debriefed in English real time or at the end of key items 2) If you're leading the discussion, acknowledge it from the top and frame it as a joint team dynamic that we collectively need to work through and improve incrementally with new approaches; in other words, it is not a one-sided "your English is not good enough" issue - we're all in this together with each language and local culture being incredibly important

Managing an offshore IT team with language barriers requires clear expectations. Be specific about goals, deadlines, and deliverables to avoid confusion. Regular check-ins, especially video calls, help ensure alignment and improve understanding. Detailed documentation is a helpful reference for tasks and workflows, while collaborative tools like @Slack streamline communication and task tracking. Encourage an open, supportive environment where team members can ask questions freely. Understanding cultural differences and adjusting communication styles are key to overcoming language barriers and ensuring success.

Establish clear Points of Contact on both sides to streamline communication and ensure accountability. Define expectations and goals, deadlines, and deliverables. Provide detailed task breakdowns to reduce ambiguity. Communicate frequently via video calls with visual aids to ensure alignment, clarify issues, and foster understanding. Use tools and documentation platforms like Slack or Jira for task tracking, and maintain detailed, shared documentation to standardize workflows. Encourage team members to ask questions, embrace cultural awareness, and adapt communication styles for inclusivity and clarity. Continuous Improvement by collect feedback regularly and refine collaboration processes to overcome challenges and enhance team efficiency.