Making the case for English language training and assessment in your organization

Samantha Ball
Two business men looking at a laptop
Reading time: 4 minutes

You¡¯ve done your research and you know that a greater focus on language skills could help you and your organization reach your goals faster and more effectively. The next stage? Getting buy-in from your key stakeholders.

Securing budgets and implementing new initiatives is a real challenge for HR professionals. That¡¯s why building a strong business case is essential. Reliable language testing tools can accurately measure a candidate's ability to use a language in real-life contexts. Assessing language proficiency is crucial for tracking employee fluency levels and ensuring effective communication within the organization.

Download the template here

Making the case for English language training and assessment in your organization
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Your essential business case template

Designed to support busy HR professionals, our free business case template helps you build a compelling case for language training and assessment, whilst saving you time.

Key features and benefits

  • Time-saving: Spend less time crafting your business case from scratch.

  • Data-driven: Guides you with examples and more to help you find robust data to back up your claims and arguments.

  • Persuasive: Present a compelling argument that resonates with decision-makers.

  • Customizable: Easily tailor the template to suit your organization¡¯s specific needs and objectives, which can be used for language training or assessment or both, and includes branding guidance.

  • Comprehensive: Cover all necessary aspects of a comprehensive, bespoke language training and language assessments business case, including potential return on investment (ROI), employee engagement, and talent retention, and ensure nothing is overlooked.

  • User-friendly: Easy to navigate with clear instructions, enabling you to create a professional-looking document efficiently.

How the template can help your stakeholder buy-in

Identifying business needs

The first step in using the template is identifying your organization¡¯s specific language training needs. This could include improving customer service, enhancing internal communication, or supporting international business expansion.

Additionally, it is crucial to consider the unique needs of English language learners to ensure that training programs are inclusive and effective.

Calculating ROI

Our template provides a framework for calculating the ROI of language training programs. Whether it¡¯s through improved customer satisfaction, increased revenue, or enhanced employee engagement, you¡¯ll be able to quantify the benefits in financial terms.

Securing budget approval

Once you¡¯ve identified the business needs and calculated the potential ROI, the next step is to secure budget approval. The template includes sections to outline the costs involved and the expected benefits, making it easier for you to present a well-rounded argument.

The benefits of language training and assessment

To illustrate the impact of language training, consider the following benefits:

  • Improved customer satisfaction: Companies that invest in language training often see higher customer satisfaction scores due to better communication with clients.

  • Increased revenue: Enhanced language skills can open up new markets and opportunities, driving revenue growth.

  • Enhanced employee engagement: Employees who receive language training feel more valued and engaged, leading to higher retention rates.

  • Stronger teamwork: Language training fosters collaboration among diverse teams by bridging communication gaps, leading to improved teamwork and a more inclusive workplace culture.

  • Competitive advantage: Businesses with a multilingual workforce can differentiate themselves in the market, attracting a broader client base and establishing stronger relationships globally.

  • Adaptability and agility: In a constantly changing business environment, employees equipped with language skills can more easily adapt to shifts in market demands, facilitating agile responses to new opportunities or challenges.

Ready to make a difference in your organization?

Building a business case for language training and language assessment doesn¡¯t have to be a daunting task. With our template, you can create a compelling business case that demonstrates the tangible benefits of language training and assessment for your organization.

Download the free business case template now

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  • A man sat outside smiling working on a laptop

    Balancing work, life, and learning: How adult learners navigate English language learning

    By Dr. Le Dinh Bao Quoc
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

    For many adult learners, mastering English isn¡¯t just about gaining a new skill¡ªit¡¯s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

    This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

    The challenges of learning English as an adult

    Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt¡ªan all-too-common experience among adult learners.

    Many adults face similar challenges:

    • Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
    • Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
    • Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

    Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

    Strategies for overcoming challenges

    1. Setting SMART Goals

    Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, ÃÛÌÒapp¡¯s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable ¡°Can-do¡± statements, such as:

    • Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
    • Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

    These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

    2. Offering flexible learning options

    Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

    • Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
    • Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

    For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

    3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

    Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners¡¯ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

    • Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
    • Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

    This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

    4. Encouraging weekly reflection

    Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

    • Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
    • Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

    This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

    Implementing the strategies

    Here¡¯s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

    1. Assess and set goals

    Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

    2. Create flexible study plans

    Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

    3. Use authentic materials

    Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner¡¯s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

    4. Encourage accountability

    Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

    5. Leverage personalized AI tools

    Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners¡¯ focus areas.

    Why It matters

    English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
    For educators seeking further resources, ÃÛÌÒapp¡¯s GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

    Celebrate education

    To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.