foreign skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreign skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to skills that are acquired or developed in a country other than one's own. Example: "Her foreign skill in culinary arts has made her a sought-after chef in the local restaurant scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Canadians know now why their team won: the game is ours + Canadian heart (almost) always trumps foreign skill + in the battle between our way of life versus theirs, no contest + nobody was going to stop Henderson that week in Moscow.

The New York Times

Thus, managing a lump sum is a completely foreign skill.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is the trio – the Croat Mandzukic, the Frenchman Ribéry and the Dutchman Robben – who bring foreign skills and quite challenging temperaments to the German machine.

The New York Times - Sports

From his economic and social policies – attract foreign skills and investment to expand natural resource exports to pay for social investments: the classic neoliberal package – to his attitude to the guerrillas, which he recently summarised as "more lead", he seems to be following where Uribe led.

The Guardian

This suggests that (1) difficulty in independently assessing the authenticity of foreign experience with foreign employers, (2) difficulty in assessing the quality of foreign skills, and (3) a mismatched belief between employers and returnees about the quality of foreign skills could negatively affect employment prospects for returnees.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

In the case of statistical discrimination, the solution in terms of policy would be to reduce asymmetric information (e.g., improving knowledge about foreign skills, education, and institutions), while in the case of taste-based discrimination, it would be to increase the culture of integration (e.g., intervention in schools and voluntary associations).

Genus

It seeks to help children develop their creativity through storytelling, art and introductions to mathematical concepts, computer skills and rudimentary foreign language skills.

The New York Times

To be sure, both computer science and foreign language skills are important.

Huffington Post

Mobility in higher education gives students the opportunity to study modules that are relevant for their programme of studies, and to develop other knowledge and skills in the process, for example, foreign language skills.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Moreover, in their experience, the task of training employees in foreign language skills was made easier by the requirements in that training in job-specific English skills could reliably assume that candidates already possess a certain level of competence.

Language Testing in Asia

Foreign language skills have not been immune to this rise and were mentioned in relation to 17% of skill-shortage vacancies, up from 16% in 2011".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "foreign skill", ensure the context clearly indicates which country or region the skill originates from to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone knows the specific origin of the "foreign skill". Provide context, especially when the skill is not widely known or practiced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreign skill" functions as a noun phrase, where "foreign" modifies the noun "skill". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foreign skill" is grammatically sound and refers to a skill originating from a country other than one's own. While Ludwig considers it correct and usable, its frequency is rare, appearing mostly in news and scientific contexts. For clarity, it's best to specify the origin of the skill. Alternatives include "international skill" or "skill acquired abroad". Always ensure the context makes the origin of the skill clear to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

international skill

Replaces "foreign" with "international", emphasizing the skill's global relevance.

overseas skill

Uses "overseas" instead of "foreign", highlighting the skill's origin in another country.

skill acquired abroad

Focuses on the location where the skill was learned.

skill from another country

Directly states the origin of the skill.

imported skill

Emphasizes the skill's introduction from a different place.

skill developed internationally

Highlights the international context of the skill's development.

cross-cultural skill

Focuses on the skill's applicability across different cultures.

skill in a foreign language

Specifies a skill related to language proficiency.

skill honed internationally

Highlights the refinement of the skill through international experience.

global competency

Broader term emphasizing competence in a global context.

FAQs

How can I use "foreign skill" in a sentence?

You can use "foreign skill" to describe an ability or expertise that originates from another country. For example, "Her mastery of origami is a valuable "foreign skill" she brought from Japan".

What is a good alternative to "foreign skill"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "international skill", "overseas skill", or "skill acquired abroad".

Is it always clear what "foreign skill" refers to?

Not always. It's best to specify the country or region the skill is associated with for clarity. For instance, instead of just "a "foreign skill"", say "a skill from Italy".

How does "foreign skill" differ from "cultural competency"?

"Foreign skill" typically refers to a specific ability originating from another country, while "cultural competency" implies a broader understanding and ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures.