As a human resources leader, you know that employee retention is crucial for maintaining a solid and productive workforce. You've likely explored various benefits from health insurance to 401(k) plans, but have you considered the benefits of language learning?
In today's global economy, language skills are more critical than ever. A study by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages found that language skills are in high demand among U.S. employers, with 44% of surveyed companies reporting a language skills gap among their employees.
By offering language learning opportunities as a benefit, you can improve your employees' language skills, boost their cultural awareness, and ultimately increase retention rates.
The Benefits of Language Learning for Employees
Employees with access to language learning opportunities gain various benefits that can help them personally and professionally. These benefits include:
- Improved communication skills. Learning a new language can help employees communicate more effectively with clients, customers, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Increased cultural awareness. Language learning goes beyond just learning a language. It also involves learning about the culture and customs of those who speak that language. This can lead to increased cultural awareness and sensitivity, which can benefit employees in various situations, like fitting in with remote colleagues in office locations worldwide and being attuned to client needs.
- Career advancement opportunities. Employees with language skills are often more competitive in the job market and may have opportunities for career advancement within their own company or in a new role. By offering language as part of your benefits package, you’ll have insight into who knows what language, making promotion and hiring decisions more data-informed.
The Benefits of Language Learning for Employers
Offering language learning opportunities can also benefit employers in several ways, including:
- Improved employee retention. Employees who feel that their employer is investing in their personal and professional development are likelier to stay with the company long-term.
- Increased productivity. When employees can communicate more effectively and understand their colleagues' and clients' cultures and customs, they are better equipped to work together and achieve goals.
- Enhanced reputation. Companies prioritizing language learning and cultural awareness are often seen as more inclusive and progressive, which can improve their reputation and appeal to customers and potential employees. Speaking your clients’ language – literally and figuratively – is a business advantage in today’s connected world.
How to Implement Language Learning as a Benefit
There are various ways to implement language learning to benefit your employees, depending on your company's size, budget, and goals.
Some options include:
- Offering language classes virtually. We find the best teachers anywhere in the world. Classes can be taught 1-1 or in a small group setting.
- Reimbursing employees for language classes they take outside of work
- Providing language learning software, like Rosetta Stone, as part of an employee benefits package
- Hosting cultural events or celebrations to promote cultural awareness and language learning. We host them in nine languages and are constantly adding more.
Regardless of your chosen method, the key is to make language learning accessible and relevant to your employees. By offering language learning as a retention benefit, you can improve employee communication skills, increase cultural awareness, and ultimately enhance employee retention rates. Whether you provide virtual language classes or reimburse employees for classes they take on their own, investing in language learning can pay off in more ways than one.
If you want to learn more about Global LT’s language and cultural services, we're here to answer all your questions about implementing a language-learning benefit at your organization.
