How English language training boosts employee wellbeing

Working in a second language is a kind of invisible work. Employees doing so often need to concentrate harder and pay extra attention to their tone. Often, because the message still gets across, organisations underestimate the additional cognitive and emotional load people working in a second language carry.

The strain of working in a second language can even affect employee mental health. Over time, the pressure can reduce confidence, increase anxiety and contribute to employee burnout.

English language training helps to reduce the burden on international teams. As teams build proficiency, communication takes less effort and feels less emotionally demanding. The investment in wellbeing can have a significant impact on overall performance – with recent research linking it to higher productivity, engagement and retention.

Let’s explore why English language training has such a significant impact on employee wellbeing and business outcomes in this article.

The hidden burnout of working in a second language

Communicating in a second language requires effort to process information, translate ideas and respond accurately. Even after a normal workday, employees may feel mentally and emotionally depleted.

This phenomenon is backed by scientific research. In a recent study, researchers interviewed bilingual speakers and used brain-imaging techniques to measure neural activity. They discovered that speaking in a second language had the following effects:

• Higher overall brain activity
• Greater reliance on active thinking, memory and attention
• Higher concentration levels
• More energy needed to suppress the mother tongue

The research also found that speaking in a second language has an emotional component. As people aren’t as deeply connected to what they’re saying as they would be in their mother tongue, they feel less relaxed. This adds an element of stress to speaking in second languages, even if employees are using English every day.

Some employees can develop anxiety around speaking in English, too. They might worry about making mistakes, being misunderstood by their colleagues or sounding unprofessional. The ongoing doubt may contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome, where employees believe they don’t belong in the workplace or deserve to be there.

English training as cognitive relief

The challenges of working in second languages aren’t a sign for organisations to move away from multilingualism in the workplace. English remains essential for international companies as the most widely spoken language and the lingua franca for business, government, science and technology.

Given the importance of English, the best way to support employee wellbeing is to provide targeted language training. This gives multilingual teams the tools they need to communicate and collaborate effectively in the workplace, rather than being expected to adapt over time.

With the extra support that comes from training, employees spend less mental energy translating English while they carry out their daily tasks. Communication becomes faster, smoother and less demanding. As they continue to develop their language skills, they should find they have more capacity for creativity, problem-solving and professional development.

When communication feels easier, anxiety around speaking is also likely to decrease. Employees can engage more fully with their work and perform their best. They may even feel more motivated to speak up during international meetings and volunteer to help their colleagues with new tasks.

This workplace stress reduction can significantly improve employees’ wellbeing. Employees no longer experience friction when trying to do simple tasks like reading emails and updating colleagues, meaning they’re at much lower risk of burnout.

Psychological safety and a sense of belonging

Stronger English proficiency helps employees feel more included in everyday working life. When they can take part in formal and informal team conversations more easily, communication is more accessible. Employees can therefore form connections with peers and enjoy a stronger sense of belonging in the workplace.

Better communication leads to stronger working relationships across teams and hierarchies. Everyone feels more confident reaching out to colleagues for support, whether that’s for help with tasks or for feedback. Some may form lasting friendships with their international colleagues – something studies have repeatedly linked to higher productivity, engagement and retention levels.

A shared language also plays an important role in psychological safety in the workplace. Employees with strong English proficiency feel more empowered to share ideas, raise concerns and challenge assumptions without fear of judgement. They trust that their contributions will always be understood and, therefore, valued by their company.

All of these elements feed into career satisfaction. Employees with English proficiency are more likely to feel they have everything they need from their jobs: ongoing support, work-life balance, strong relationships and opportunities for professional advancement. They perform well in their roles, and they’re more committed to the company, contributing to better business outcomes.

Why English training is an investment in employee wellbeing

English training is a sign that your organisation is paying attention to employee wellbeing. By investing in your teams’ development, you acknowledge the extra burden that your multilingual workers are carrying and show that you’re willing to help them shoulder it.

More importantly, English training shows employees that you value them beyond their output. You recognise that communicating in a second language takes effort, you celebrate their talents and you give them the tools to continue flourishing.

Boost your employee wellbeing and evolve your business with English language training. Book a demo with us.