Providing English language training for your staff is a smart move if you have offices located in various countries, especially if your language of communication is English. However, there are benefits that go far beyond the acquisition of a langauge. Some of those are very desirable to many companies and organisations, so let’s have a look at what some of those might be.
When thinking about providing English language training for your staff, you may be focussed on the cost rather than the benefits. That’s totally normal and understandable. But, thinking about the many businesses I’ve worked with, I’ve noticed that the improvement of English language skills is not the only benefit that occurs when businesses decide to implement training.
Team Building
One of the biggest aspects of training is team building. Learners talk to each other in ways that they may not normally do in a work environment when they are learning English. Maybe your staff are all working remotely, or they may be in the office, no matter, team building is a definate benefit from language training. Role playing, working together, problem solving all help to bring your team closer together. Staff learn more about each other which helps promote openness, appreciation and understanding. Furthermore, staff members actually learn what others do in the company and the challenges they face in their roles. All of this is very positive and increases empathy and team morale.
Knowledge
Business English is a specific form of language training. It requires not only language that can be used generally, but also includes very specific vocabulary and phrases that can be unique to a business or industry. When staff engage with training, they don’t just learn the language, the also learn all the terminology associated with their role, business and industry. Often, staff are learning new phrases that they didn’t know in their mother tongue. This will help them to have a much more holisic understanidng of their role, the business and the industry.
Then there are workshops on presentations and report writing which not only benefit their English skills, but also their native language. These skills are transferable across languages and are essential for efficient and productive working.
Improved Motivation
I’ve heard it many times, if you want to keep your staff, you need to invest in them. And, it’s true! Companies and organisations that do not invest in their staff, either lose them to other businesses or organisations, or they lose their motivation and dedication. Investing in staff is crucial and necessary, and it needs to be ongoing. Language training is just one way to do this and I’ve heard many stories of how staff are more motivated, really trying to use their English and are excited about growing their skills and their role. Motivated staff are very desirable!
… And Finally
Better communication with team members and clients leads to increased productivity which ultimately leads to increased profits and a growing business.
Language training is a vital component to any business that is using English for it’s work where staff and offices are from non English speaking countries. Intensive courses, ongoing training, phone classes, one-to-one, online portal work all add up to a better organisation. These are just a few of the many benefits that English Language training can bring to your business or organisation.
If you would like to know how Sankofa can help your company or organisation, or if you are a professional looking to improve your skills, get in touch. We’d love to see how we can work with you.
