We launched this “On the Job” series to find out how people use English in their working lives. We talk to them about jargon in their profession, writing on the job and what advice they’d give to learners of English.
Roxanne Scott
Who do you work for?
Roxanne Scott: I’m founder of The Who’s World Media Project, a site that explores the hidden treasures of Black/African history and culture around the globe.
What is your position?
I’m the Editor and Publisher of the site.
How important is being able to speak/write good English in your job?
Crucial. As the content provider for the site, as well as being the “face” of the project, it’s important to utilize good English skills to market and promote the mission of the project.
Does your field have its own particular jargon? Could you share some of the more unusual terms with us?
Since I work in the space of digital media, I’m always amused to see words like “tweet,” “friend,” and “unfriend” become verbs.
Do you ever ask another person to proofread your work? If so, in which circumstances?
When conducting an interview, running ad campaigns, and, especially applying for grants.
What mistakes or phrases in English do you find most annoying? Why?
The misspelling of homonyms always bugs me. For example, hear/here, your/you’re, and their/they’re/there. This is a third grade lesson!
Would you like to add anything you think our readers would find interesting?
I hate to sound like my old-school piano teacher, but practice makes perfect! Find every opportunity you can to engage with the language, whether seeking out English speakers, listening to podcasts, or watching movies, interacting with the language every chance you get is key. Also, find your motivation for learning the language. Whether it’s to earn more money, travel, or fall in love with an English-speaker, identifying what motivates you will “push” you towards your goal.
Visit Roxanne’s media project at www.whosworld.org
Want to hear what some of the other interviewees said? Head over to the On the Job series home page here.