Target employees’ English language upskilling with the GSE Job Profiles

Samantha Ball
Coworkers sat at a table together, talking and smiling
Reading time: 4 minutes

Staying ahead requires not just talent but the right talent. For HR professionals, ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary skills is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Enter the GSE Job Profiles—a game-changing tool designed to facilitate role-targeted upskilling by mapping English language skills to specific job roles. This blog post will explore how HR teams can leverage this innovative tool to enhance workforce capabilities efficiently and effectively.

The GSE Job Profiles utilizes ÃÛÌÒapp’s Global Scale of English and the Faethm by ÃÛÌÒapp skills ontology to provide a detailed analysis of the language requirements for nearly 1,400 job roles. This precise mapping allows HR professionals to make informed talent management decisions, including hiring, training and development, and ensuring that employees are adequately prepared for their roles now and in the future.

English language upskilling with GSE job profiles
Reproducir
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Why targeted upskilling matters

Upskilling is vital for both individual and organizational growth. Upskilling not only enhances employee performance but also boosts morale and retention.

In fact, say they would stay with their current organization if there was investment in their career development, and 9 in 10 employees are looking to their employer to provide English language training.

English in particular, is becoming an even more sought-after skill, with AI technology increasing the importance of soft skills such as teamwork and communication. And the emerging workforce agree, with 92% of Gen Z and Millennial workers believing English skills will be increasingly important for work in 5 years’ time.Ìý

By focusing on developing the specific English skills needed for success in a role, organizations can both optimize workforce efficiency and create a future-ready team.

The GSE Job Profiles simplifies the process of targeted upskilling by providing clear benchmarks for English language proficiency. Whether you’re hiring new talent or looking to supercharge your existing talents’ careers, HR teams can use these benchmarks to identify skills gaps and tailor language learning and development initiatives accordingly.

Integrating the GSE Job Profiles into your workforce planning strategy

To maximize the benefits of the GSE Job Profiles, HR professionals should incorporate the insights into their overall workforce planning strategy. Here are some key steps to consider:

Step 1: Define role-specific language requirements

The first step is to establish the English language proficiency levels required for each job role within the organization. The GSE Job Profiles provides a global reference point, detailing the necessary English levels across speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

Step 2: Assess current workforce capabilities

Once you have established the English language requirements, it's essential to assess the current proficiency levels of your workforce. This assessment will help identify any language skills gaps and highlight areas where targeted upskilling is needed.

Using tools like the Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp language assessment, HR professionals can quickly and easily evaluate employee proficiency at scale. As both Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp tests and GSE Job Profiles report on the Global Scale of English, you can immediately compare results against role benchmarks. This makes it easy to identify talent that has the right level of English skills for their roles and gain valuable insights into your team’s English language strengths and weaknesses.

Step 3: Implement targeted learning and development programs

With this insight, HR teams can develop tailored learning and development programs to address skills gaps or proactively develop skills for future roles as part of your workforce’s career progression. You can use apps like Mondy by ÃÛÌÒapp to help you with this.

Organizations can ensure that their upskilling efforts are effective and measurable by aligning language training programs with the GSE Job Profiles benchmarks.

The GSE underpins all ÃÛÌÒapp English Language learning materials. So, if you want a language training solution that features role-relevant language training, helps you track your team’s progress and is easy to implement, check out Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp. With a dedicated dashboard, you can monitor your workforce’s English learning and help them reach their career goals.

The impact of targeted upskilling for organizations

Implementing a targeted upskilling strategy using the GSE Job Profiles can yield significant benefits for organizations. Here are some of the key advantages:

Enhanced hiring processes

With accurate language skill profiles, recruiters can quickly identify candidates who meet the job requirements. This not only speeds up the hiring process but also improves the quality of new hires, as they are better equipped to perform their duties from day one.

In fact, in a 2023 ÃÛÌÒapp-conducted global customer survey of 34 Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp Test customers, 94% said using Versant by ÃÛÌÒapp tests helped reduce time-to-hire and 89% agreed it improves the quality of new hires.

Improved employee performance

72% of employees say they would find their job easier if they had better English skills. Organizations can enhance workforce performance by addressing English skills gaps and providing employees with the tools they need to succeed.

Employees who feel supported in their development are more likely to be engaged and productive, contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Increased retention and job satisfaction

of employees leave their jobs due to a lack of development. Upskilling initiatives can also lead to higher retention rates and increased job satisfaction. When employees see a clear path for growth and development, they are more likely to remain committed to the organization and motivated to achieve their career goals.

Overcoming challenges with language upskilling

While the benefits of language upskilling are clear, there are challenges that organizations may face when implementing such initiatives. Here are some tips for overcoming these obstacles:

Addressing resistance to change

Employees may be resistant to change, particularly if they feel their skills are being scrutinized. To address this, HR teams should communicate the benefits of upskilling clearly and involve employees in the planning process, ensuring they feel supported and valued.

Ensuring access to resources

Providing employees with access to the necessary resources is crucial for successful upskilling. Organizations should invest in a range of learning and development options, ensuring that employees have the tools they need to succeed.

Measuring success

Finally, it's important to measure the success of upskilling initiatives. By tracking progress against the GSE benchmarks, HR teams can evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and make data-driven decisions to refine and improve their strategies.

The future of language upskilling

As the business landscape continues to evolve, the importance of English language upskilling will only increase. The GSE Job Profiles provides HR professionals with the insights and tools needed to adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment.

Using target roles or identifying skills gaps helps you focus your language upskilling initiatives and create a workforce that is not only skilled but also agile, ready to meet the challenges of the future head-on.

In conclusion, the GSE Job Profiles is a powerful tool that can transform the way organizations approach upskilling. By aligning language proficiency with job roles, HR professionals can enhance recruitment, improve employee performance and build a future-ready workforce. For those looking to explore further, reach out to us to discover how the GSE Job Profiles can benefit your organization.

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Two friends stood over a book in a library reading it and smiling

    Why are English days named what they are?

    Por Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Ever wondered why Monday is called Monday or how Wednesday got its name? The names of the days of the week in English have fascinating origins, rooted in ancient history and steeped in mythology. Understanding these origins not only enriches our language ability but also provides intriguing insights into cultural heritage.

  • A group of friends backpacking outdoors smiling and embracing eachother

    What are the most spoken languages in the world?

    Por Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Have you ever wondered which world languages are spoken by the largest number of people globally? Whether you’re a language enthusiast or someone looking to learn a new language, understanding the most spoken languages around the world can be incredibly insightful. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top languages by number of speakers, shedding light on languages with the most native speakers and widely spoken languages globally.

    Introduction to spoken languages

    Spoken languages are a vital part of human communication, culture and identity. With over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, each language has its unique characteristics, nuances and significance. Understanding the most spoken languages globally provides valuable insights into geopolitics, economics and social dynamics. In this article, we will explore the top languages spoken in the world, their distribution and use.

    Why knowing the most spoken languages matters

    Knowing which languages are most popular worldwide can influence your language learning decisions. Enhancing your language skills in these widely spoken languages can significantly boost your communication abilities and cultural understanding. It can open up opportunities for travel, business and cultural exchange. Additionally, understanding global language popularity can give you a broader perspective of the world’s linguistic diversity.

    Criteria for measuring language popularity

    Measuring language popularity is a complex task that involves various factors, including the number of native speakers, global influence, and use as a second or foreign language. The criteria for measuring language popularity include:

    • Number of native speakers: This refers to the number of people who speak a language as their first or native language. Languages with the highest number of native speakers often have a significant cultural and historical impact.

    • Global influence: This measures the extent to which a language is used in international communication, business, science and diplomacy. Languages with a broad global influence are often used as lingua francas in various regions.

    • Use as a second or foreign language: This considers the number of people who speak a language as a second language or foreign language. Languages that are widely taught and learned around the world tend to have a larger speaking population.

    By considering these criteria, we can better understand why certain languages are more prominent and widely spoken globally.

    Top 10 most spoken languages in the world

    Here’s a closer look at the ten most spoken languages by number of speakers:

    When evaluating these languages, it's important to consider not just the number of native speakers but also the total number of language speakers, including those who speak it as a second language.

    1. English

    Speakers: Approximately 1.5 billion

    Native speakers: Around 360 million

    Regions: Widely spoken in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

    Highlights: English is the most widely spoken language worldwide when combining native and non-native speakers. It's the primary language in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. English is the dominant language in international business, science and technology.

    2. Mandarin Chinese

    Speakers: Over 1.1 billion

    Native speakers: About 920 million

    Regions: Mainly in China, Taiwan and Singapore

    Highlights: Mandarin is the language with the largest number of native speakers. It's one of the six official languages of the United Nations and has a significant cultural and historical importance.

    3. Hindi

    Speakers: Around 600 million

    Native speakers: Approximately 341 million

    Regions: Predominantly in India and Nepal

    Highlights: Hindi is predominantly spoken in India and Nepal, with approximately 341 million native speakers. It is one of the official languages of India and is spoken by a large portion of the Indian population. It has numerous dialects and is written in the Devanagari script.

    4. Spanish

    Speakers: Approximately 560 million

    Native speakers: About 460 million

    Regions: Spain, Latin America and parts of the United States

    Highlights: Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and is widely spoken in the Americas. In many of these countries, Spanish serves as the national language, playing a crucial role in government, education and media. It’s known for its rich literature and cultural heritage.

    5. French

    Speakers: Around 280 million

    Native speakers: About 77 million

    Regions: France, parts of Africa, Canada, Belgium and Switzerland

    Highlights: French is another of the six official languages of the United Nations. It's widely used in international diplomacy and has a significant number of speakers in Africa due to France's colonial history.

    6. Arabic

    Speakers: Approximately 270 million

    Native speakers: Around 310 million

    Regions: Middle East and North Africa

    Highlights: Arabic is a central Semitic language that is the liturgical language of Islam. It has many dialects, with Modern Standard Arabic being used in formal settings and media. Arabic has numerous spoken forms, with significant variations in dialects across different regions.

    7. Bengali

    Speakers: Around 265 million

    Native speakers: About 230 million

    Regions: Bangladesh and parts of India

    Highlights: Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and the second most spoken language in India. Alongside other languages like Hindi and Urdu, Bengali plays a crucial role in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the region. It’s known for its rich literary tradition.

    8. Portuguese

    Speakers: Approximately 220 million

    Native speakers: Around 220 million

    Regions: Brazil, Portugal and parts of Africa

    Highlights: Portuguese is mainly spoken in Brazil, which is the largest Portuguese-speaking country. It has a growing number of speakers in Africa.

    9. Russian

    Speakers: Around 258 million

    Native speakers: Approximately 154 million

    Regions: Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

    Highlights: Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is widely spoken in the former Soviet Union countries.

    10. Japanese

    Speakers: Approximately 128 million

    Native speakers: Around 128 million

    Regions: Japan

    Highlights: Japanese is predominantly spoken in Japan and is known for its three writing systems—Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. It has a rich cultural history and is influential in technology and entertainment.

    Conclusion

    Understanding the most spoken languages in the world can provide valuable insights for language learners. Developing strong language skills in these world languages can open up numerous opportunities for travel, business and cultural exchange. Whether you’re looking to enhance your travel experiences, broaden your cultural horizons, or improve your career prospects, learning one of these widely spoken languages could be a significant advantage.

    Ready to start your language learning journey? Learn a new language with Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp.

  • Woman working in front of a laptop writing something down and smiling

    Learning a language while working full-time

    Por Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Mastering a new language can be a game-changer for your career. Whether it's for expanding your professional network, exploring new job opportunities, or simply enhancing your cognitive skills, learning a language is an invaluable investment. But how can you juggle language learning with a demanding full-time job? Here are some practical tips designed for busy professionals.

    1. Set clear goals

    Before you start, it's crucial to set clear, achievable goals. Whether you aim to hold basic conversations, read professional documents, or become fluent, having a specific target will keep you motivated and focused.

    2. Integrate learning into your daily routine

    Finding time to study can be challenging, but integrating language learning into your daily routine can make it more manageable:

    • Commute time: Use your commute to listen to language podcasts or audiobooks.
    • Lunch breaks: Dedicate 15-20 minutes of your lunch break to review vocabulary or grammar.
    • Evening wind-down: Spend 10 minutes before bed practicing speaking or writing.

    3. Use online resources

    Modern technology provides a plethora of tools to help you learn a new language without disrupting your schedule:

    • Language learning apps: Apps like Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp allow you to practice during your commute or lunch break.
    • Podcasts and audiobooks: Listen to language lessons during your commute or workout.
    • Online courses:Ìý Many websites offer structured courses that you can complete at your own pace.

    4. Stay motivated

    Staying motivated is crucial to your success. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and remind yourself of the benefits of being multilingual:

    • Track your progress: Keep a journal of your language learning milestones and achievements.
    • Find a study buddy: Partner with a colleague or friend who is also learning the language to keep each other accountable.
    • Reward yourself: Treat yourself when you reach your language learning goals.

    5. Explore company resources

    Some companies offer resources or discounted access for learning. It's always worthwhile to check if your employer provides:

    • Language classes: On-site or online language classes.
    • Learning platforms: Subscriptions to language learning platforms.
    • Education reimbursement: Financial assistance for language courses as part of professional development.

    6. Use your work environment

    If your workplace has international colleagues, take advantage of this opportunity to practice. Try to speak with them in their first language or ask for help with pronunciation and vocabulary. Not only will this provide real-world practice, but it will also strengthen your professional relationships.

    7. Be consistent and patient

    Consistency is key when learning a new language:

    • Daily practice: Even 10-15 minutes a day can lead to significant progress over time.
    • Patience: Language learning is a gradual process. Celebrate small milestones and remain patient with your progress.

    Balancing a full-time job with language learning is no small feat, but it's entirely possible with the right strategies. By setting clear goals, integrating learning into your routine, leveraging technology, practicing consistently, engaging with native speakers, making learning fun and staying motivated, you can achieve fluency without sacrificing your professional responsibilities. Ready to start your language learning journey? Take the first step today and open a world of new opportunities.