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The hidden ROI of corporate language training
It’s easy to think that corporate language training is only a tool to improve teams’ ability to work effectively in another language. In reality though, many companies use it as a way to support wider business goals. Beyond the obvious benefit of learning a new language in a globalised world, language training also supports long-term strategies.
Below, we explore the hidden return on investment (ROI) of corporate language training – from improved branding and employee retention to market expansion and company culture.
Stronger employer brand
Corporate language training doesn’t just give employees a valuable skill, it also boosts your employer brand. In the modern workforce, employees actively look for jobs that foster their personal development. In fact, of employees have reported wanting language training in their professional roles.
Organisations that offer corporate language training are more desirable to people looking for work, especially younger generations who want to invest in their future with their next position.
By offering corporate language training, you demonstrate that you care about your teams, and you attract a significantly higher volume of applicants to open roles. Essentially, you make your organisation more competitive – which leads to securing top tier talent.
With in-demand workers in your company, you can build more innovative products and services, and optimise your business operations in smarter ways. The result? An impressive business reputation.
Improved employee retention
Corporate language training is a powerful resource to not only draw in new employees, but also to keep them.
Employees need to feel a sense of belonging in their place of work, and without this, they are more likely to leave. Business language training connects individuals to an environment of learning. It also makes their days and goals more dynamic, which reduces the possibility of boredom and burnout.
Employees can apply what they learn from training in their professional and personal lives. For example, learning English allows them to participate in international conferences. It also means they can travel for leisure with greater ease.
These language programmes increase motivation in work environments too. And, depending on your organisational structure, may open doors to promotions or new roles within your company.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, 96% of HR and Learning and Development leaders around the world think that language training helps retain staff.
Accelerated market expansion
Corporate language training is directly linked to market expansion opportunities. With more staff speaking English, your company can tap into advantages like:
- marketing to localised audiences in places that speak English
- partnering with businesses that work in English
- understanding linguistic and cultural nuances in different markets
- sourcing and hiring talent from markets where English is the primary language
- communicating with international teams
- offering customer support in English
- selling directly to individuals/businesses that operate in English
Any language training removes barriers that limit geographical reach. Beyond the benefits above, multilingual teams can do more accurate market research, getting insights firsthand from customers rather than relying on translated or third-party research. This direct access also builds more meaningful relationships between your business and users.
Moreover, staff can uncover opportunities for expansion that weren’t previously known. For example, an English-speaking sales representative might detect user pain points that haven’t been addressed by the company in a specific English-speaking region.
This shows that language training facilitates planned expansion and gives teams an intelligence that reveals new pathways to grow organically.
Reduced risk of miscommunication
Miscommunication in a business setting is costly. Inability to communicate or translation errors can end negotiations, damage relationships and in severe cases, lead to legal disputes. Corporate language training reduces these risks dramatically.
Employees and teams who speak the language of the person(s) they are communicating with, can identify misunderstandings before they escalate. For instance, they can recognise inflections or phrasing that signals a client has doubts, or they can tell if a team member really understands what’s been explained or is just agreeing politely.
If your business is already operating with international teams, internal communication training allows individuals to work more closely together and to streamline processes. It can contribute to quicker deployment times, higher creativity in brainstorming sessions and generally better interpersonal relationships at work.
Elsewhere, language skills ensure that sensitive information is handled with care and that messaging across communication is consistent. These characteristics ensure that your brand knowledge is protected and easily definable. You can therefore avoid difficult PR incidents.
Enhanced company culture and engagement
Inclusive workplaces have to be the norm in 2025. Corporate language training programmes enact inclusion because individuals can express themselves more fully with one another through a shared language. That means that no-one is isolated, and that people from diverse backgrounds can equally communicate with one another.
Employees naturally establish bonds because they can work more easily together, and can be more curious about their peers outside of work. They may also choose to study the language together, practise conversations and offer feedback. This type of relationship fuels engagement as there’s no judgement or student–teacher status. Rather, it’s mutual, safe support.
Naturally, as individuals advance in their language learning, they feel more confident and proud of their skills. They may even be inspired to help others and set up lunchtime conversation clubs, or they may have suggestions for you around how to improve the corporate language training. Either way, there is a cycle of learning and improving, and a culture of being proactive.
The value of corporate language training
The return on business language training goes further than fluency. Companies that prioritise language development are ready for sustained international growth, all while shaping skilled, motivated teams.
In the globalised business landscape of today, remember that corporate language training is as vital as sales, marketing and HR departments.
Make sure your business is set up for success.
Check this article on How English for Work transforms your organisation