Language Training Trends for 2016
1. Languages for business
A large majority of businesses across the globe continue to recognise the need for language skills when positioning themselves in international markets and in a recent survey 79% of businesses said they think language skills are critical for business success. In 2016 the key areas include customer service, marketing messages and website translations, negotiations with suppliers and partners, and intra-company communications – all of which need to be delivered in a range of languages.
2. Time-zone and location fluidity
Online language training and virtual classroom platforms are now enabling companies to not only make learning accessible to more staff but also tap into the most experienced and qualified tutors around the globe, regardless of location or time zone. Both private and group training sessions can now be delivered online, allowing learners in different locations and time zones to access the same high-quality content driven training.
3. Industry-specific Language Training
In recent years there has been a move towards industry-specific language training and a move away from general language training. Industry-specific training focuses on the technical vocabulary and sector-unique lexis that is used within a limited yet crucial framework. Companies that recognise the benefits of industry-specific training are noting significant improvements in output and KPIs and are seeing tangible results that support an increase in their language training budgets for 2017.
4. Demand for Chinese and Arabic
The UK now needs to negotiate new trading deals with the rest of the world – and both Asia and the Middle East will be high on the list of future trading partners. The recently announced cut in corporation tax to 15% positions the UK as an extremely attractive country to do business from and as a result the UK will not only see English continue to dominate as the world’s business language but it will see an increase in demand for both Chinese and Arabic language skills.
5. Tracking Language Training ROI
The ROI for language training has been difficult to measure on two levels. Firstly, improved language skills through assessments, tutor reports and testing indicate acquisition of and proficiency in the target language but they cannot measure the effectiveness of improved language skills in the workplace. Secondly, assuming the use of language skills in the workplace has improved, it is a significant challenge to then measure the value of that improvement to the organisation. Cactus Language Training has developed an online tool that overcomes both these problems by providing accurate data on ROI. This tool, a first for the language training industry, will be launched at the end of 2016.
Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:
Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 15 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French
