When Gamalier Roche moved to Orlando, Florida, in 2014, he knew he was chasing the American Dream—but what he didn’t realize was that his strongest tool for achieving it would be his willingness to learn and master a second language.
I remember when I first met Gamalier. Fresh from Puerto Rico, with his wife and one-year-old son still back home, he attended one of my Talleres de Bienvenida (Welcome Workshops). His command of English was basic at best. Navigating the cultural and linguistic barriers of his new reality was overwhelming. “Visiting Orlando as a tourist is very different from living here,” he said during an interview with NBC News. He was taken aback by how isolated people seemed, and how much English fluency affects everything, from getting a job to finding a place to live.
At first, he worked at his cousin’s print business, but he knew it was only a stepping stone. That day at the workshop he attended, he absorbed every piece of advice we gave—about housing, jobs, schools, cultural differences—and he made a decision right there and then: he needed to find a job that offered real growth if he wanted to bring his family and build a life here.
A few months later, he landed a job at a Wisconsin-based digital and commercial printing company that was expanding into Orlando. There was just one problem, and it was that no one at the company spoke Spanish. “When I started, I barely understood what my supervisors were saying,” he admitted to me later. “I felt lost in meetings, and it was hard to even ask simple questions.”
But Gamalier didn’t give up. He committed to learning by taking mental notes, writing down unfamiliar words, practicing pronunciation, and forcing himself to engage in English conversations even when it was intimidating. Every day, he pushed a little further out of his comfort zone.
Two years later, a reporter reached out to me asking if I could connect her with someone whose life had been changed by the workshops I gave. I immediately thought of Gamalier. When I called to reconnect, what he told me filled me with pride. Not only had he become proficient in English, but he had also been promoted twice.
Today, he supervises nearly thirty employees as a floor manager. He communicates policies, enforces safety standards, and manages production timelines—all in English.
And it didn’t stop there. Gamalier and his wife achieved another milestone. They purchased their first home in Kissimmee, Florida. The once-distant dream of reuniting his family and securing a future for his children had come true.
The Power of Language in Leadership
Gamalier’s journey is a powerful reminder that language is more than communication—it’s empowerment. Mastering English didn’t just give him a paycheck; it gave him leadership, confidence, and a voice within his company.
His bilingual skills also made him a bridge between Spanish-dominant workers they started to hire and English-speaking management—enhancing communication, boosting team morale, and improving operational efficiency.
This story isn’t just about one man’s determination. It’s a message to every company. When you support bilingual employees, you’re investing in leaders.
So, here are the leadership lessons I’d like to share:
For Employers
- Prioritize language training and cultural competency.
- Recognize bilingualism as a leadership skill.
- Create pathways for advancement for non-native English speakers.
For Bilingual Professionals
- Your language skills are a superpower. Sharpen them.
- Leadership grows through communication, advocacy, and persistence.
- Never underestimate your ability to lead and thrive.
The Broader Impact
When I launched the Talleres de Bienvenida in 2014, I hoped to provide newcomers with the information and encouragement they needed to succeed. Hearing success stories like Gamalier’s affirms that hope. It reminds me—and should remind all of us—that newcomers are here to build, contribute, and thrive if given the right tools.
In a region that continues to welcome families from Puerto Rico, success stories like Gamalier’s are defining the way forward. Watching his journey unfold has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. From barely understanding his supervisors to leading a team of thirty, he embodies the transformative power of language and resilience. In a rapidly diversifying America, the companies, communities, and individuals who invest in language skills won’t just survive—they’ll flourish. Just like Gamalier.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that language is a powerful bridge—but only when it’s truly strong and vetted. That’s why confirming language proficiency matters. ACTFL® assessments, delivered by Language Testing International® (LTI), help both employers and bilingual professionals know exactly where they stand.
ACTFL’s remotely proctored assessments cover over 120 languages and measure real-world skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It’s not about guessing—it’s about being confident that you or your team can perform at the level today’s world demands. Stronger communication means stronger teams, better service, and bigger opportunities ahead. For more information, visit languagetesting.com.
