Did you know the word “nostalgia” comes from the Greek words nostos (return) and algos (pain)? It literally means “the suffering caused by the longing to return home.”
Other cultures have their own word for this feeling. In Japanese, Natsukashii conveys joy and gratitude for the past. In Chinese, 回味 (Huíwèi) describes savouring memories in the present. Rather than pain, these terms evoke comfort.
Emotions are universal, but language shapes how we express them and connect with others. This influences our relationships, including the bond between a coach or mental health professional and their client. But do individuals see more progress when receiving native language coaching? Intellect decided to find out.
Is native language coaching more effective?
Methodology
To explore the difference native language coaching makes, Intellect analysed nearly two years worth of data (starting December 2022) from 535 users of coaching, a subset of our larger user base. The sample included 60 users from predominantly English-speaking countries (Australia and New Zealand) and 475 users from the following countries where English is not the primary language:
- United Arab Emirates
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- China
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- India
- Japan
- Cambodia
- South Korea
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
Wellbeing outcomes were assessed using the PHQ-4 (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), a screening tool that evaluates symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Findings
The results revealed a clear trend: native language coaching led to better outcomes across the board.
In non-English-speaking countries, 39% of users who received native-language coaching saw their PHQ-4 scores improve, compared to 33% of those who coached in English.
(There’s a possible reason for the small difference in improvement rates: In countries where English isn’t the primary language, some users’ native language might still be English (e.g., an American working in Asia). However, our analysis would have categorised them as English-speaking users from non-English-speaking countries.)
But here’s the kicker: In English-speaking countries, the effectiveness of native-language coaching is nearly doubled. 60% of users who received native language coaching saw their PHQ-4 scores improve, compared to just 35% of those coached in English.
This nearly twofold difference challenges the assumption that individuals in English-speaking countries fully adapt to English and have little need for native language coaching. On the contrary, it suggests that these settings are where native-language coaching makes the greatest impact.
Why native-language coaching is more effective
Our findings align with a 2015 study on expatriate coaching, which identified coaching language as a key factor in coaching success, alongside trust and confidentiality.
Participants noted that native language coaching provides several key benefits:
1. Linguistic ease
Even fluent speakers find that communicating in a second language requires extra mental effort. While they may have the vocabulary for everyday or professional conversations, articulating internal experiences can be much more challenging. Native language coaching removes this cognitive burden, allowing clients “a greater freedom of expression”—a view supported by HR representatives who participated in the study.
2. Being “seen”
Imagine hearing a familiar accent abroad—that is the sense of comfort and familiarity native-language coaching can evoke. The study even referred to native language coaching as a “safe harbour in the midst of challenges of expatriate life.” This sense of psychological safety helps strengthen the therapeutic alliance, a critical factor for achieving successful outcomes.
3. Cultural assumptions
The study also highlighted that coaches fluent in multiple languages are better equipped to navigate different cultural assumptions. For example, a coach from a Chinese-speaking background might have a deeper understanding of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn), the concept of filial piety, and its associated pressures. This cultural awareness allows coaches to validate and address clients’ struggles more effectively.
Implications for employers
As Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” But despite the growing focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), it seems many Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) still fall short in one critical area: language.
Many EAPs are one-size-fits-all solutions that prioritise scalability over personalisation, offering services only in their main languages and leaving non-native speakers with limited access to meaningful care. The result? EAP utilisation rates hover at a low 3 to 5%, failing to support the very employees who might need it most.
Localise mental health support with Intellect
At Intellect, we believe breaking down language barriers is key to creating truly inclusive mental health support. That’s why we provide hyperlocalised services across 100 countries and 100 languages. This multilingual approach isn’t limited to coaching—it extends to counselling, therapy, and a 24/7 crisis helpline.
When employees can access care in their preferred language, higher EAP engagement, improved mental health outcomes, and a more inclusive workplace will follow.
Reach out to us for a demo today.
