Miss France 2023, Indira Ampiot, encountered challenges during the oral portion of the Miss Universe competition held in Vietnam on Saturday, September 5. During the traditional question-and-answer segment, her limited English skills caused hesitations, which may have affected her performance in the competition. This incident highlights a broader issue regarding the English language proficiency of the French population. A recent study by Cercle des langues, an online language training provider, found that 68% of French employees experience difficulties in the workplace due to limited English skills. The study, conducted between June 23 and July 2, 2026, surveyed 1,192 people through LinkedIn and other platforms. It revealed that 36% of respondents believe they have lost a professional opportunity because of their English skills, while 19% are certain of this. Additionally, 44% of the respondents think that English proficiency plays a clear or informal role in career advancement. The study also pointed out that many professionals in France self-censor due to a lack of confidence in their English abilities. Approximately 36.8% of respondents said they regularly avoid speaking up in meetings, professional events, or when dealing with international clients. Overall, 67.7% of the French have avoided speaking up in a professional setting due to discomfort with English. Moreover, 37.7% of the respondents have given up on communicating in English multiple times in international professional contexts. François Fourmentin, co-founder of Cercle des Langues, emphasized that these findings show English is no longer just a skill listed on a resume but can have a real impact on professional careers. The results also suggest that the issue isn't only about language ability—lack of confidence can cause even competent professionals to speak less, become less visible, or avoid certain situations entirely.