Maximising workforce potential: The top benefits of language training

app Languages
Work colleagues talking together in the office
Reading time: 9 minutes

In today's globally connected business landscape, language training is not merely an added advantage but a critical component for companies seeking to maximize their team's potential. Being proficient in multiple languages enables effective communication, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and enhances networking capabilities.

As businesses expand their operations globally, the proficiency to communicate in the native languages of clients and partners becomes crucial. This essential skill, proficiency in spoken languages, fosters trust and paves the way for more successful negotiations. Linguistic adaptability is becoming a pivotal requisite for organizations that aim to thrive in international commerce's dynamic and diverse environment.

Understanding the concept of language training

Acquiring a second language through language learning involves a systematic approach. It focuses on studying one language with the aim of enhancing communication skills in professional, educational and personal settings. This form of education transcends mere memorization and language study of vocabulary and grammar in a single language. It strives to foster a profound understanding of linguistic subtleties and cultural aspects across multiple languages.

Language learning mastery accelerates critical thinking and adaptation to communication challenges, resulting in stronger, more meaningful connections in a multilingual, interconnected world. Mastering more than one language in today's diverse business world is not simply about translation; it's about gaining a competitive edge by understanding the nuances and cultural contexts that can inform and enhance global relationships.

Consequently, language learning not only equips individuals with the tools required for effective dialogue but also sharpens cognitive abilities, paves the way for greater empathy towards other languages and cultures, and opens a doorway to a wealth of new personal and professional opportunities.

The direct benefits of corporate language training for employees

Enhanced communication skills

Through language training, employees develop better listening abilities, pronunciation and vocabulary that collectively improve their overall communication proficiency. They gain a deeper understanding of the subtleties of language, allowing them to convey messages more clearly and comprehend others with increased accuracy.

Language learning is crucial in fostering more profound connections with colleagues and clients.?Learning languages goes beyond mere verbal exchange; it immerses individuals in the subtleties of different cultures, fostering a global mindset and sensitivity that are invaluable assets in today's international market. Individuals can cultivate more meaningful relationships by showcasing empathy and a genuine interest in cultural engagement with other cultures and other languages.

Boosted confidence

The fluency attained through dedicated language training significantly elevates an employee's self-assurance in their professional capabilities. Confident employees are more likely to engage in discussions, present ideas articulately, and assert their viewpoints in negotiationskey catalysts in driving innovation and business growth. Achieving fluency in learning a second language or foreign mother tongue is a commendable milestone that fosters employees' sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Furthermore, through additional language learning, employees not only enhance their communication abilities but also increase their propensity to establish rapport with international clients and partners. This, in turn, fosters more fruitful and harmonious professional relationships. In essence, language proficiency in more than just one other language, empowers individuals to operate beyond their comfort zones, thereby driving both personal and professional growth.

Career advancement opportunities

Language skills are not just tools for effective communicationthey can be a catalyst for career advancement.

Acquiring proficiency in a first or second language, a foreign tongue or an additional second language can also open the door to new roles within the company, such as international liaison or translator, which may have been unattainable otherwise. Mastering more than one language not only signifies an individual's ability to engage in varied linguistic exchanges but also demonstrates a commitment to personal development and an understanding of the evolving demands of the global marketplace.

Employees with multilingual capabilities are often perceived as valuable assets who can seamlessly interact with diverse markets, making them prime candidates for promotions and leadership positions.

Furthermore, as companies increasingly value global collaboration, being able to negotiate and network in a different culture and other languages can lead to being entrusted with more strategic projects and overseas postings. These opportunities broaden an individual's experience of the global economy and exposure to learning a second or third language, preparing them for a variety of influential roles within the ever-expanding global business arena.

Cognitive benefits of language learning

The process of acquiring and learning a new language thus does much more than merely expand an individuals ability to communicate in only one language; it also provides significant cognitive enhancements.

As individuals learn and use a second language, they engage in mental exercises that strengthen their brain and the new language's neural pathways, leading to better memory retention and recall of the new language.

This cognitive exercise extends beyond language acquisition, enhancing the brain's ability to handle complex situations and solve problems more efficiently. Bilingual or multilingual individuals often demonstrate enhanced proficiency in recognizing essential components of complex problem-solving challenges and crafting innovative solutions. This ability stems from their adeptness and other skills acquired through language diversity.

The practice of switching between languages enhances multitasking abilities, making language learners more effective in navigating tasks that require an attention span juggling multiple priorities. These cognitive side benefits of learning can have profound implications, contributing to an individual's mental agility and resilience in both personal and professional contexts. You can read more in our post '?Being bilingual can help keep your brain in good condition'.

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The strategic benefits of language training for businesses

Expanding global reach

Embracing language training equips businesses with the crucial ability to communicate with a more diverse customer base and understand the cultural contexts of different markets.?Multilingual teams can transcend language barriers, allowing a business to effectively market and sell its products, solutions and services to bilingual people worldwide.

In an age where the success of a business can hinge on customer experience, the ability to engage with customers in multiple languages, whether it be two languages or one language in addition to their native tongue, can provide a substantial advantage. This sets companies apart, cultivating loyalty and trust among their clientele.

Moreover, a workforce fluent in multiple languages can gather and analyze market insights more effectively, leading to better-informed and more strategic business decisions that identify multiple solutions that cater to the varied needs of a global audience.

With this competitive advantage, companies are in a prime position to broaden their operations into new markets, tap into emerging sectors and even acquire proficiency in a new language before their monolingual competitors can. This solidifies their status as industry leaders on the international stage, showcasing their expertise and adaptability.

Enhanced interpersonal connections

Proficiency in multiple languages also goes beyond transactional interactions; it serves as a bridge to fostering stronger, more personal relationships with international clients and partners.?When business representatives engage in conversations using a client's native language, it showcases respect and a sincere interest in their culture. It is a flattering and endearing gesture that demonstrates an understanding of the language and appreciation for the client's background.

This level of personal engagement can make clients feel valued and understood, which is fundamental to building trust and loyalty. Furthermore, language skills can help to decode cultural references and nuances that may otherwise lead to misunderstandings. By appreciating and acknowledging these subtleties, businesses can communicate more effectively, establish common ground and forge long-lasting relationships that are based on mutual respect and cultural insight.

These strong relationships are vital in securing repeat business and can be instrumental in gaining referrals from other countries and expanding networks within the international market.

Increased employee engagement and satisfaction

Providing language training can greatly enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. It demonstrates to the workforce that their employer values their personal growth, thereby boosting their sense of worth within the company. Employees are likely to become more invested in their work, knowing they are supported in acquiring new, valuable skills that aid in their professional and personal growth, including the mastery of a second language.

The interactive nature of language classes often provides a refreshing break from routine tasks, revitalizing employees and sparking collaborative and social interactions among peers. This shared language learning experience can foster a sense of camaraderie and team cohesion as employees are united in their goal to master the benefits of learning a new language skill.?As they progress in their language competencies, the resultant feeling of self-awareness and achievement contributes to greater job satisfaction and a more dynamic, engaged workplace culture. Read more in our post 'Boosting employee retention: Benefits of language learning in the workplace'

Enhanced diversity and inclusion

One of the most profound impacts of language training in the workplace is its support for diversity and inclusion initiatives.?Having a multilingual staff reflects a company's commitment to embracing and valuing a multitude of cultural perspectives and experiences, as well as the importance of having employees fluent in a second language.

It creates an environment where employees from varying linguistic backgrounds feel represented and more comfortable expressing themselves in their native tongues. Language training helps dismantle language barriers that may hinder full participation or advancement for non-native speakers, promoting equitable career opportunities both for contribution and career progression.

Moreover, it sensitizes employees to the intricacies and benefits of learning how language improves and helps in cross-cultural communication, thereby creating a more inclusive atmosphere where differences are celebrated and seen as a source of strength.

This cultural competence enriches the work environment and equips the company to navigate and succeed in an increasingly diverse global market.?

Conclusion

In conclusion, language training emerges as a cornerstone for cultivating a versatile and proficient workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the global market with ease and confidence. It is an investment that yields significant returns in terms of employee development, company reputation and market competitiveness.

By prioritizing and integrating language learning into their strategic planning, businesses enrich their employees' skill sets and demonstrate a commitment to embracing diversity and fostering inclusive growth. As companies look to the future, those who embrace the power of linguistic diversity will find themselves at the forefront of innovation and international collaboration, well-equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving business landscape.

One great language instruction solution to consider is Mondly by app. With its innovative language learning platform, Mondly empowers employees to learn languages efficiently and effectively. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your team's language skills and drive success in today's globalized world.

You can read more about language learning in the workplace with our posts 'The value of language skills in the workplace', 'Empowering employee success: establishing a learning culture' and 'The ultimate HR Guide to corporate language training'.

At app we offer a range of language learning solutions for the workplace, here you can find out more about how we can help support language learning programs for your business:

Explore more about our corporate language learning

Frequently asked questions

Training employees in more than one language positions a company as an advocate for professional development, signaling to employees that their growth is valued. This investment in their skills leads to heightened job satisfaction and loyalty, directly contributing to greater employee retention rates.

A multilingual workforce, capable of communicating in multiple languages, can connect with a broader customer base, adapt to diverse markets, and gain a deeper understanding of cultural contexts. This enables them to provide a nuanced service experience that sets a company apart from its competitors, showing that relying on only one language is not enough.

Businesses may observe measurable outcomes such as an increase in international sales, improved client satisfaction and retention, and growth in employee productivity and engagement. Additionally, a reduction in miscommunication errors and a consolidated company image as a global influencer are also significant benefits.

Language training showcases a company's dedication to embracing cultural diversity, fostering effective communication and collaboration within a diverse workforce. It promotes the creation of an inclusive environment where employees from all backgrounds can actively participate and express themselves, reflecting the company's commitment to equitable opportunities and celebrating their own culture.

Absolutely. Language training can act as a team-building activity, fostering camaraderie and enhancing collaboration as employees engage in collective learning. It also encourages cross-cultural understanding, helping to break down barriers and enabling team members to work more harmoniously together.

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    Teaching young learners: all just fun and games?

    By Jill Leighton
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    We want lots of fun in our lessons, with a good balance of activities and games with strong educational value. But in my opinion, todays young learners need more than just fun and games to stay motivated. Fun and games can quickly become meaningless and boring for some students.

    How do we create fun and engaging lessons for young learners aged 6-14?

    • Have a strong relationship with your students. Know about their natural talents, their weaker points and where they are in their development.
    • Encourage them to be active learners and engage them in learning that is meaningful to all of them. E.g. through project work.
    • Provide opportunities for students to use technology and develop success skills. E.g. collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity and self-learning.

    Most teachers agree that we have to assume the responsibility of preparing students for life as well as helping them to acquire a language C and this is what I aim to demonstrate in this blog. Using , I want to demonstrate how you can learn more about your students and care for individual needs in one classroom.

    The students will also learn about themselves and their classmates. They will acquire vocabulary and language (at their level) in a dynamic way and create a project to explore their interests and demonstrate their talents. They will use technology and develop their success skills. Assessment will be fun and engaging. I hope you will be able to adapt the ideas and put them into practice with children aged 6-14.

    Howard Gardners Model of Multiple Intelligences

    prompts us to ask: How is this child intelligent? He identified eight different types of intelligence which guide the way students learn:

    • Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)
    • Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Maths Smart)
    • Spatial Intelligence (Picture Smart)
    • Musical Intelligence (Music Smart)
    • Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (Body Smart)
    • Naturalistic-Environmentalist Intelligence (Nature Smart)
    • Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart)
    • Intrapersonal Intelligence (Self-Smart)
    • (He later went on to identify Existential Intelligence C Life Smart, and Pedagogical Intelligence -Teacher Smart)

    Lesson 1: Outline the students learning goals

    Explain to the students that they are going to learn about Howard Gardners Model of Multiple Intelligences and that you want them to achieve learning goals on completion of the project. Write the goals on a poster and discuss them with your students. Take a digital photo of the poster to use during the assessment.

    Student learning goals C you will be able to:

    • Identify different intelligences and what they mean. Name eight different intelligences you have
    • Communicate ideas clearly through a project to demonstrate your talents and interests
    • Use your success skills more effectively.

    Tip: Video parts of lesson 1, especially discussion of the learning goals, to use as part-assessment and reflection on completion of the project.

    What do you know about the Multiple Intelligences? How are you smart?

    • Ask children what they know about multiple intelligences. Teach key language and vocabulary as necessary, depending on level.
    • Ask, What does it mean be intelligent? (They will probably say, good grades, be good at maths, English, reading, writing, computers...)
    • Tell them being intelligent or smart (get the younger children to repeat the word smart several times) isnt only about getting good grades. Ask them to think of more ways to be smart.
    • Elicit the eight ways to be smart according to Gardner. (You may need to mime). E.g. mime playing the piano or clap a rhythm to elicit Music Smart.
    • Discuss what the different intelligences mean. (E.g. Word Smart (Linguistic Intelligence): you like reading, writing or speaking, you are probably good at languages)
    • Teach career vocabulary associated with the different intelligences. (E.g. Word Smart: journalist, teacher, lawyer, editor, TV announcer, web editor.)

    Lesson 2: Find out your smarts quiz

    Tell students they are going to do a quiz to discover how they are smart. Model each stage of the activity and do the quiz with them to find out about your own strengths. Give each student a piece of paper.

    • Take your paper and show the students how to fold it into eight sections, then unfold it and draw lines along the folds to make a grid.
    • Write the different smarts in each section. (Use small handwriting to leave room to illustrate each smart with a picture).
    • Give a picture dictation to illustrate each smart. Here are some examples:

    Word Smart:?Draw a dictionary and children reading, writing and speaking.

    Logic/Number Smart: Draw sums on a computer, a scientist with test tube.

    Music Smart: Draw children singing and playing musical instruments.

    Body Smart: Draw children playing a sport, dancing or cooking.

    Nature Smart:?Draw trees, animals, insects, child watering a plant.

    Spatial/Picture Smart: Draw children drawing, painting or taking photos and a pilot in a plane.

    People Smart:?Draw a child helping or leading a group or a group of children holding hands.

    Self-Smart: Draw children keeping a journal, researching on a computer, or meditating.

    Encourage students to order their smarts from 1-8. For example, if you love music, write number 1 in the Music Smart section and continue to 8 in order of preference. (You may wish to model this first and order your smarts from 1-8 and then encourage the children to order their smarts.)

    After the quiz

    • Encourage students to compare and discuss their results. Collect the papers and make notes about each students results. This will help you reach all your students when planning activities.
    • Explain that we have all the intelligences in different degrees and that all of the intelligences are equal (no intelligence is better than another). Also point out that it is important to know our strengths in order to help in all subjects. (E.g. a music smart student who finds maths challenging may want to sing multiplication tables). Remind students that we usually use several intelligences to do something and we can explore and develop all our smarts.

    Tip: Video lesson 2 to use as part of assessment.

    Lesson 3: Beginning the project

    Encourage the students to create a project for enjoyment. Explain that you want them to collaborate in groups that share the same smarts and interests and using their creativity you want them come up with an interesting topic to explore. (Remind students to concentrate on developing their success skills when they are working with others and mention that you will also be monitoring this as part of the assessment).

    Organize the students into groups of no more than five students in each. Give students time to brainstorm in their groups and come up with the best topic for the project, using their critical thinking skills. (E.g. Picture Smart students may decide to create a project about a famous artist, such as Salvador Dali).

    You may wish to give each student a ?(Know, Want-to-know, and Learned) to complete during the project process, asking questions such as: What do you know? What do you want to know? What have you learned?

    Lesson 4: Planning the project

    Inform students about the timing of the project. Encourage each group to make a project mind map, which will encourage them to be more creative and organized.

    Remind all the groups to keep the following questions in mind:

    • What are you going to do/make? (Presentation, PowerPoint, website, video, posters.)
    • How will you research it? (Internet, tech tools, library.)
    • How will you delegate responsibilities?
    • How will you check that your audience has understood the message of your project? What questions will you ask?

    Decide on how many lessons are needed to prepare the project and how much will be done in school or at home, depending on the age groups and timing.

    Encourage the students to share their work with the rest of the class (or in assembly.)

    Tip: Video the different groups sharing their work.

    Can assessment also be fun and engaging?

    Yes, it can; here are some tips and suggestions.

    • Show the videos you have recorded and ask the students to compare and contrast their knowledge in Lesson 1 and how it developed over the lessons. Encourage them to observe and comment on their success skills.
    • Display the photo of the Student Learning Goals poster from Lesson 1. Get the students to self-assess and decide whether they have achieved the goals that were set in Lesson 1. (You may wish to give the students three small pieces of colored paper: red to represent I understand quite well, orange to represent I understand well and green to represent I understand very well). Ask: Can you identify the different intelligences and say what they mean? Encourage the students to hold up a colored piece of paper according to their understanding. (Make a mental note of all red pieces of paper to be ready to give extra help to those students). Check understanding by getting several students to answer the question.
    • Get the children to reflect on the learning experience. What have they learned about the different intelligences? How can they develop weaker points using their strengths to help them? Can they use all eight intelligences inside and outside school? Did they manage to get along well with their classmates? Did they communicate the message of their project so that the audience understood?
    • Give individual feedback to each student. E.g. congratulate them on their attitude and effort or identify areas for improvement: You managed to use vocabulary and language effectively when you shared your project, we understood your message perfectly. Or You need to work on being more collaborative. You werent on task during the project. How do you think you can improve that?
    • Ask students to give you feedback on the activities they enjoyed. Get them to draw happy and sad face cards. Go through all the activities and get the students to show a happy or sad face according to whether or not they liked the activity. E.g. say Did you like the Find out your smarts quiz? and ask them to hold up the happy or sad face depending on whether they liked the activity or not.

    Create fun lessons to engage all your students keeping this model in mind: traditional activities such as short fun activities and games + Howard Gardners model of Multiple Intelligences + PBL (Project Based Learning) + success skills + meaningful assessment. Enjoy the results with your students.

    How the Global Scale of English can help

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    Love is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures and languages. For those learning another language, understanding how to express love in various tongues can be both fascinating and useful. Whether you're planning to travel, connect with friends from different backgrounds, or simply expand your linguistic repertoire, knowing how to say "I love you" in different languages as well as the cultural context, can be a beautiful way to show appreciation and affection. Let's take a look at some of the many ways to express this timeless sentiment and some interesting facts.

    1. Cultural nuances:

    In many cultures, the way you express love can carry different weights and meanings. For example, in Japanese, "ۤƤ" (aishiteru) is a very strong expression of love, often reserved for serious relationships, whereas "ä" (daisuki) is more commonly used among friends and family.
    However, French, often called the language of love, uses "je t'aime" to express love as a romantic phrase that can be used for both partners and close family members.

    2. Gender differences:

    Some languages have gender-specific ways of saying "I love you." For instance, in Arabic, "????" (a?ibbuka) is used when a woman says "I love you" to a man, and "????" (a?ibbuki) is used when a man says it to a woman. Similarly, in Hindi, men say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karta hoon) and women say "??? ????? ????? ???? ???" (main tumse pyaar karti hoon).

    3. Formal vs. informal:

    Some languages have formal and informal ways of expressing love. In Spanish, "te amo" is more formal and used for romantic love, while "te quiero" is more casual and can be used for friends and family.
    ?

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    Romantic Readers and classroom ideas to celebrate Valentines day

    By Iram Ahmed
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Love is in the air on February 14th, with hearts, red roses and boxes of chocolates everywhere. Were all set for the big day, and to help you prepare as well, here are six of our favorite love stories for learners of all ages and levels. There are also plenty of fun ideas for your classroom.

    1.?Cinderella?(Level 1)

    Poor Cinderella lives with her stepmother and two horrible stepsisters. They treat her badly, making her cook and clean, while they relax and wear beautiful clothes. However, one night, Cinderella gets the chance to sneak away and attend a fabulous ball. She meets a handsome princebut must run away before he discovers her true identity. With only a glass shoe to help him, will the prince ever find Cinderella?

    How to use this Reader in class:

    Its no surprise that the story has a happy ending. After reading the story, have the learners draw a picture and write about Cinderellas new life in the castle, with her loving new family.

    2.?Lady and the Tramp?(Level 3)

    This classic Disney story tells the tale of two young dogs who come from different backgrounds. Lady lives in a house while Tramp lives on the street. However, one day, Lady is forced to leave the house and the life she knows. Tramp teaches her about life on the streets and the two dogs fall in love but with the dog-catcher always chasing them, will the story have a happy ending?

    How to use this reader in class:

    After reading the story, why not watch the animated version with your students? They can choose their favorite character from the movie and write a description of them.

    Looking for more romantic Readers for young learners? How about?The Little Mermaid?(Level 2) or?Aladdin?(Level 5)? Theres something for everyone?in our catalog.

    3.?Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl?(Level 2)

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    How to use this Reader in class:

    After reading the story, why not ask your students to write a review of it? Its a great way for them to summarize the plot and share their opinion.

    4.?Pride and Prejudice?(Level 5)

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    How to use this Reader in class:

    While reading the story, learners can keep a diary, writing entries in the voice of Elizabeth Bennett. This helps them to demonstrate their understanding of the novel and encourages them to have a more empathetic reaction to the storys heroine. They can either write the diary entries using typical language from Jane Austens day, or updating it to more modern language.

    Heres an example:

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Darcy today and found him rather rude and reserved. I imagine he feels this country life is inferior and that the locals are uncultured simpletons!

    or

    Met Mr Darcy today C what a stuck-up dork! He just stood there, looking down his nose at everyone you can see he thinks hes better than us locals.

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    6.?Wuthering Heights?(Level 5)?

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    If you enjoyed this post here are some more practical posts to get your students engaged in reading, 'How to bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom'?and 'How to motivate reluctant readers'.