How Howdy.com Builds Cultural and English Confidence

Clear communication is the backbone of teamwork. When collaboration spans countries, success depends on more than words alone. Tone, humor, and cultural cues all play a role in making conversations flow naturally.

At Howdy, every developer we hire is fluent in English from day one. Still, confidence grows when people feel comfortable navigating colloquialisms, cultural references, and the fast pace of team discussions. That’s why we offer ongoing English development designed to help our hires refine their skills, build confidence, and feel fully connected to their teammates.

Setting a high bar

Fluency is a standard at Howdy. Every applicant completes a language assessment that measures both conversational ability and the clarity of explaining technical and business concepts.

We begin testing in the first screening and reinforce it throughout the interview process. The standard is intentionally high, and only about half of applicants pass. Once onboard, developers continue to have access to resources that strengthen communication and boost confidence.

Learning in two ways

We provide both one-on-one and group classes to support different needs.

"The private sessions give team members a safe space to practice without fear of judgment," says Simón Sánchez, Howdy’s English Development Coordinator. "The group classes then turn that practice into real connection, where confidence grows through shared jokes, cultural references, and team camaraderie."

Sánchez compares one-on-one lessons to singing in the shower, where experimentation is encouraged. Group classes, by contrast, create bonds that make distributed teams feel closer.

Flexible and blended support

Our program combines live sessions with self-paced learning, making it adaptable to different learning styles and schedules. Live classes provide real-time feedback and conversation, while online modules let team members focus on specific skills at their own pace. Access to platforms like Udemy and in-person meetups round out the mix.

Overcoming hesitation

Even fluent professionals can feel nervous about speaking up. Concerns about accents, word choice, or phrasing sometimes hold people back.

"Speaking English is often about confidence as much as skill," Sánchez notes. "Even strong speakers can hold back, and our role is to help them push through that hesitation."

By creating space to practice cultural nuances and informal communication, we help developers feel ready for everything from fast-moving standups to casual conversations with teammates.

Building belonging

As Sánchez puts it: "We’re investing in more than language. We’re investing in confidence, connection, and belonging."