Business English training is more than an employment benefit... it's a game-changer for companies with a multilingual workforce. The reality is: when employees struggle to express themselves, or understand directions everything slows down. From customer service, to team collaboration, poor communication can even affect compliance and workplace safety. So when you give ESL employees (those who speak English as a Second Language) the roadmap that leads to confidence in speaking, listening, and interacting in English... your entire workplace communication transforms.
One major client recently launched a customized English program for their frontline staff. And within just a few short months, the results were impossible to ignore. So, we asked one of their senior representatives what worked, what outcomes were achieved, and what advice they would give to others considering our business English training for ESL employees....
Here's what one client said about our business English training:
"What challenges did your ESL employees face before starting our business English training program?"
Before starting the program, many of our ESL associates struggled to communicate with coworkers and customers. Their skills were very limited and they did not have access to professional English classes outside of work.
"What were your objectives coming into your workplace ESL program? Have been achieved?"
Our main goal was to build up essential professional English communication skills, to improve performance and social interactions. We actually had 4 concurrent language classes, where each group received 52 hours of training along with their own learning outcomes:
- Exchanging personal information, creating personal and work profiles, socializing and meeting new people
- Describing and discussing family, friends and coworkers
- Talking about your home and taking part in conversation in someone else's home
- Offering a high level of customer service by:
- requests for service, and amenities
- communicating with supervisors about things that aren't working
- understanding questions and giving directions
- proactive communication
After only 30 hours completed, the groups have met 75% of our goals. This rapid progress is a testament to how effective the program has been!
"How long did it take to start seeing noticeable improvements? How is progress evaluated"
We began seeing noticeable improvements in language -especially noticeable in confidence - around 2 to 3 months after starting the program. Language proficiency is thoroughly evaluated by the instructor of the program via:
- Placement tests the beginning of the class
- Regular quizzes
- Consistent class updates
- General oral evaluations
"What kind of support is available to HR or management?"
Language Connections has provided extensive support to managers and HR throughout the business ESL program. Regular updates on class progress, attendance, and access to test results keep the right people informed the entire time. The customized curriculum and learning outcomes means that our employees are getting the support they need, while learning exactly what we need them to.
"If you ran the program again, is there anything you would do differently? Are there any pitfalls or unexpected benefits you think we should know of?"
If we started the corporate English training program all over again, we would increase the frequency of classes. Currently, each group receives one class session, that meets for 2 hours every other week. By increasing to 2 sessions every other week, progress would be accelerated even more, and enhance comprehension and benefits to our ESL workers.
Our interactive and engaging In-Person and Online Corporate Language Training provides English Classes for Companies online and on-site with live highly qualified native-speaking language instructors. We offer Real-Time Private and Group Corporate English Language Training. Get a Free Quote for your Industry Specific Onsite or Online Corporate English Training for employees.
