Why Aesthetic Language Is Missing from English Classes — and Why It Matters to Visual Professionals

28 May

“I know how it looks. I don’t know how to say it in English… It makes it more beautiful. ”

This is one of the most common things I hear from designers, artists, stylists, and creatives who work in English as the lingua franca. They can sketch a concept. Style a space, create a mood board that communicates a world.

But when it comes to explaining the why — the mood, the choices, the visual logic — they hesitate.

Gertrude Jekyll inspired planting scheme

I have taught English for 25 years. I know that this difficulty is not because international speakers have little English. It’s because the specific English they need simply isn’t taught.

What’s Missing from Most English Lessons?

Most English language courses focus on travel, grammar, or polite conversation. They teach how to describe your job, order in a restaurant, or write an email.

But they rarely include how to talk about:

the flow of a space
the contrast of materials
the texture of a surface
the rhythm of planting
the balance of composition

In short, the aesthetic language of your creative field.

Why Does This Matter for Professionals?

When you can’t describe your work in detail, you could be:

misunderstood by clients
overlooked in interviews or proposals
unsure how to receive or give feedback
limited in expressing your full vision

A simple description can make brilliant work seem forgettable.
A clear, confident explanation can open doors, impress, and elevate your professional presence.