How a Software Engineer From Russia Prepped for English Interviews
Interviewers are not grading your accent. They need to follow your reasoning in English. She was a software engineer in London. The gap was vocabulary & pronunciation - not the technical content.
What this case shows
Written English was fine. Spoken answers stalled. See how one Software Engineer from Russia practised interview English out loud.
At a glance
| Role | Software Engineer |
|---|---|
| Location | London |
| English challenge | vocabulary & pronunciation |
| Interview problem | Interview English |
| Target | a Big Tech-style technical interview |
| Preparation | Live mocks with English feedback on the same answers |
| Outcome | Gained clearer, more confident English for interviews |
The Gap Between Knowing and Explaining
Interviewers are not grading your accent. They need to follow your reasoning in English. She was a software engineer in London. In the room, vocabulary and pronunciation were what broke down.
Before and After
Before coaching
- Pronunciation made metrics and names hard to follow.
- Reached for words mid-answer and translated from a first language.
After coaching
- Said numbers and key terms clearly enough for the interviewer to follow.
- Used a small set of precise terms instead of long, vague descriptions.
What We Worked On
Practice matched the round she actually had to speak: vocabulary & pronunciation. Each mock got notes on the same answer - where she paused, which words were vague, and where the structure broke.
- Replaced vague verbs with the words interviewers actually hear (latency, trade-off, shipped).
- Practised saying numbers, metrics, and product names until they were clear.
- Built a short list of words to practise for this role - not a general vocabulary course.
- Repeated the same explanation until the terms came without translating.
Useful references along the way: What to expect in English interviews, Pronouncing numbers and metrics.
What to Practise
- Write the 20 terms you will actually say in this round. Practise them in full sentences.
- Say numbers and names out loud until they are clear without slowing down.
- Stop translating. If the precise word is missing, use a short definition and move on.
- Record one answer and listen only for searches and approximations.
The Difference
Gained clearer, more confident English for interviews. She could explain the work more clearly when questions got hard. That readiness was the goal - not a promised job offer.
Why Vocabulary Breaks Interviews in English
You can know the work and still lose the round while searching for a word. Interviewers follow a sequence. Long pauses and vague verbs make strong engineering sound unfinished. A small, practised set of role terms is more useful than a general vocabulary list.
Preparing for a similar path? Read Interview-Ready English for a Software Engineer From Russia.
Where She Started
She prepared for English-language interviews as a software engineer. Written English was stronger than speaking under the clock.
Learning paths
Practise in the course
Start with your introPractise the vocabulary you will actually say in the interview
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FAQ
Questions
More questions? Email us at contact@mocklyenglish.com.
Other engineers practising interview English
Mockly has helped me enormously in working toward my goals in Tech. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Mockly’s preparation and mock interviews, I passed multiple interviews, received several offers, and landed a new job. The sessions increased my confidence as we worked through initial screening and technical interview questions. Mockly didn’t just improve my English - they gave me great advice on how to answer questions and approach interviews strategically. I truly recommend them to anyone seeking a role at an international company.
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