Relocating for work can be both an exciting and challenging experience. Whether it's moving to a different city, state, or even country, employees face a myriad of adjustments and cultural transitions upon their arrival in their new location. One way to ensure a successful relocation? Language training, both pre-and-post departure. Language training for relocating employees can make all the difference to their success (and their family's success), opening doors to new opportunities and helping them acclimate to their new home.
Challenges for Employees
Moving to a new country is a great opportunity for personal and professional growth, but it can also be stressful. The language barrier, different cultures, and a new environment can be overwhelming, so business language training is critical to successful employee relocation. Employees who cannot effectively communicate with their colleagues and navigate the new world around them are likely to feel isolated and disconnected, affecting their happiness and productivity at work.
An informal study conducted by Worldwide ERC found that corporate advanced English learners had been assigned to U.S. positions primarily because they spoke English. However, once in their new location, the survey results confirmed that most language students understood only about 60% of what was said during meetings. They grew to understand 80 to 85 percent with one-on-one language tutoring in about four to six months. If language training had been prioritized pre-departure, that number would be even higher.
Challenges for Employers
Unhappy employees tend to be unproductive – their performance dips, and they will likely stop communicating. This can cause friction with other colleagues, increasing misunderstandings and miscommunications. It might also result in a domino effect, causing other employees to lose productivity.
Language training has numerous benefits for relocating employees, and it's an investment that pays off. Equipping your employees with the skills they need to thrive in their new environment is critical to their success abroad. According to research by CapRelo, the cost of an average relocation package hinges on the employee’s current living situation and how recently they were employed. If the transferee is a renter at the time of the move, the standard cost is generally in the low to mid-$20,000s. If they are homeowners, the cost will be substantially higher – between $60,000 and $80,000. That’s a significant financial investment in an employee’s future, and the ROI hinges on them learning the language and culture of their new location.
Enhanced Communication Skills
The most obvious benefit of language training is the improvement of communication skills. Relocating employees may find themselves in environments where their native language is not what’s spoken in their new location. By learning the local language, employees can effectively communicate with colleagues, clients, and customers, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing workplace productivity. Asked if they have foreign language needs that their employees cannot meet, one-third (34 percent) of employers reliant on foreign languages report having a foreign language skills gap, according to a report from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
Improved Cultural Integration
Language and culture are closely intertwined. Learning the language of a new location can help employees better understand and integrate into the local culture. It demonstrates respect for the local customs and traditions and fosters positive relationships with colleagues and neighbors. This can lead to a smoother transition and a more enjoyable experience overall.
Whether it’s to help avoid culture shock when moving to another country or improve professional relationships, intercultural training will accelerate the confidence and comfort of expatriates and their families in new environments. Companies that provide cultural training have lower turnover rates and higher employee satisfaction rates.
Increased Confidence
Language barriers can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for relocating employees and their families. Language training helps boost confidence in their ability to navigate everyday situations, whether ordering food at a restaurant, making a doctor's appointment, or attending business meetings. Confidence in their language skills can have a ripple effect on their confidence, job performance, and, more importantly, their home life.
Trailed Spouses
The term “trailing spouses” was coined in a New York Times article in 1981, but it’s still relevant today. Trailing spouses are partners who accompany their significant other on international journeys or job transfers. Negative impacts of an unsuccessful relocation can include feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even a loss of identity since many relocating spouses had to quit their jobs to move with their ex-pat partner. That’s why pre-departure language and culture training must also be offered to spouses and children because their success in the employee’s new location is good for business. If your relocating employee knows that their family has the tools they need to succeed in their new location, they’ll be able to be present at work.
Career Advancement
In today’s globalized world, multilingualism is a valuable asset. Employees who can communicate effectively in multiple languages are often more desirable to employers. According to research from the ACTFL, 9 out of 10 U.S. employers say they rely on U.S.-based employees with language skills other than English. The survey also found that the need for employees who speak foreign languages during the workday has risen significantly in recent years. That need is expected to grow, especially for Spanish, Chinese, and French speakers. Language training can open doors to career advancement opportunities as employees become more versatile and adaptable to various organizational roles and responsibilities.
Increased Productivity
Effective communication is the cornerstone of productivity. Language training equips employees with the tools to work efficiently and collaborate seamlessly with their colleagues. Improved communication skills can lead to better project outcomes, fewer errors, and smoother teamwork. In a study on the impact of language barriers on expats' performance in organizations, 67% of the respondents said that miscommunications due to language barriers created inefficiencies in the workplace, and 40% stated that it hindered collaboration.
Personal Growth
Learning a new language is a personal achievement that goes beyond the workplace. It broadens one's horizons, enhances cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence, and can be a source of personal pride. Emotional intelligence has a 58% influence on job performance, and 90% of top performers at work have high emotional intelligence.
Language training is an invaluable investment in the success and well-being of relocating employees. It equips them with the skills and confidence to navigate new environments, communicate effectively, and thrive personally and professionally. As organizations expand globally, recognizing the importance of language training for relocating employees is essential for creating a workforce that can adapt, grow, and excel in diverse and dynamic settings.
Do you have employees who are relocating and need language training? Global LT can help! We offer customized language training for individuals and groups and can tailor lessons to their specific needs.
