How to Set Up a Language Learning Plan in a Company?
Speaking different languages at work can really boost success. Yet, lots of companies forget how important it is for their teams to be good at languages. It’s important to understand how to set it up and keeping the team members engaged. This practical guide will help you with how to set up a language learning plan in a company.
Setting Up a Language Learning Plan - 9 Steps Guide
From the early stages to evaluating the success of the plan, it’s important to have a plan properly set up. This 9 steps guide is all about showing you why teaching languages at work is so important. It will cover how to set it up, assess language needs set clear objectives. Will also cover the different language learning methods, how to overcome challenges, and some simple tips to help you do it well.
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1. Why Setting Up a Language Learning Plan?
Learning languages at work has many benefits. From understanding different cultures to flexible communication. One of the main benefits is to help people from different cultures feel more confident to express themselves. In a work environment this is particularly important.
When a company has a language learning plan, it can make everyone feel welcome and create chances for people to work together better. Understand the advantages of speak more than one language and why language is important in the workplace. Understand how it can enhance communication and collaboration.
2. Assessing Language Needs
Before deciding it’s important to assess the language needs of the team members. It can vary substantially from department to department. People’s backgrounds will play a part in this so it’s important to understand carefully what each individual and group is trying to achieve. So, you will need to understand what languages people in your company need to know.
To do it, there are aspects that can be taken into account:
- Request their input into what languages play a role in their area
- Understand what language will be beneficial for the company future projects
- Request team members to take language level tests to see how good they are at languages
- Request a company to assess their language level proficiency
This helps make sure the language plan is right for everyone, individually and within a team. It might bring to your attention that the training needs to be industry-specific. From Aviation English to German for Engineering – there are many courses tailored to different language needs.
3. Setting Clear Objectives
It’s important to decide what objectives need to be achieved with a language learning plan in a company. You consider some of the following:
- Do team members need to improve their language skills to speak with clients?
- Do they need to understand each other better to help with a project?
These examples are good to understand what is going to be achieved. However, it’s important to establish measurable targets for language proficiency. These need to be aligned with overall business objectives.
The KPIs need to take into account hours of study per week and when do the objectives need to be accomplished. It takes time to learn a language and goals need to take this into account. This guide for international success will provide you with an understanding of how long it takes to learn a language.
A good example is Lloyds Bank International. This case study, show what was the needs of the company and how this was put in place.
4. Choosing Language Learning Methods
There are lots of ways to learn languages. It’s important to recognise the different needs of the team members and particular circumstances. Due to availability or location, many times, an online language training might be more suitable. However, it’s important to consider the different delivery methods:
- Online language training – anyone can join from anywhere
- Face-to-face training in the office – ideal for teams based on the same location
- Face-to-face training outside the office – a quiet location such as home can be a convenient location for many
- Blended language training – combining the benefits of online and in-person training
It’s necessary to understand the learning method. Not everyone learns in the same way. Some might prefer individual lessons tailored to their needs whilst others prefer a group setting. You can find some of the options to be considered below:
- Individual language training – ideal for those who prefer language lessons training tailored to their needs
- Small groups – groups of 2-5 people with same language level
- Group language courses – for those who prefer a group learning environment
- Immersive language training – group classes in the country where the language is spoken
- App language training – a good complement to other formats to practice the language outside of classes
A combination of delivery and learning methods can be combined for best results. It’s crucial to know what constrains will be in place to see what will work best for the individual and the company.
Many companies choose online as it’s flexible and people can learn from anywhere. Yet, each case should be assessed on a case by case basis.
5. Designing a Customised Language Learning Program
This important step can be done with a language provider. It’s imperative that it fits the team and company needs. The programme will focus on what the person learning is trying to achieve. This is normally done by completing a needs analysis.
A company will provide a client journey that will help you understand at what stage of the process you are. The design will include questions of the goals and the tutor will help you understand what needs to be adapted. A great way to achieve the best results possible and tweak where needed.
This is a continuous step – it should be revisited every so often to guarantee great results. The feedback from the client and input from tutor will guarantee the improvements moving forward. For maximum effectiveness feedback should be requested throughout the language learning programme.
6. Implementing the Language Learning Plan
In order to implement the language learning plan, it’s necessary to set key points:
- Starting and ending date
- Goals
- Progress tracker
- Feedback sessions
- Support
For best results, the staff should be involved from the early stages of the language learning plan. Their feedback will help set realistic goals. Learning a language can be rather slow so support and extra resources might need to be put in place.
This will help monitoring the process and adjust the plan where needed. A great step to make sure everyone feels supported and encouraged to take part.
7. Evaluating and Measuring Success
It’s crucial to see how the language level is improving over time. This should be included in the plan from the beginning as an important step. It’s not always easy to be assessed so feedback from the tutor will play an important part. The language provider it will help you with reports from tutors regarding progress.
Gathering the feedback from the staff is also crucial – some things might have to be changed for a greater outcome. A few examples such as changing from group learning to individual programmes or from online to face-to-face training.
This will help adjust strategies based on the evaluation results.
8. Encouraging Employee Engagement
Encourage teams to get involved is another part for a successful outcome. This can be done in many ways, such as:
- Highlighting the individual benefits of learning a language
- Praising their efforts
- Fostering a support learning environment
- Provide extra support where needed
- Offer rewards and incentives for language learning achievements
- Promoting language exchange opportunities
It’s detrimental that everyone involved is engaged for a great success of the language learning plan.
9. Overcoming Challenges on a Language Learning Plan in a Company
Despite all the preparation it’s possible that not everything goes according to plan. Addressing the common obstacles in leaning a language can help mitigate issues. Issues, such as lack of time, no support, learning method, lack of exposure can help one feel demotivated. Implementing techniques to understand what are the issues or when they might arise is very helpful. Providing the team members with extra support and a way to communicate them is the best strategy to overcome challenges.
Ready to Set Up a Language Learning Plan in a Company?
Learning a language can be hard but it doesn’t have to be. Language learning has many benefits. Not only for the team members but for the company. It will surely improve overall results. With some clear goals, the right teaching provider and support, your team can learn to talk confidently. Follow this step to set up a language learning plan in a company and you will be on the right track. If you need any help – we would be happy to assist you.
Are you looking for language training? Do you need help setting up a language learning plan? Do you want a course designed to your specific learning goals? Cactus offers a variety of language training and specialist courses. Cactus also offers general language classes online, across the UK and immersive courses across the world.
Are you looking to develop your language skills or of your team members? Are you looking to determine the number of hours needed to reach proficiency? Cactus Guide to International Success – Levels and Progress Made Simple gives you the information you need to ensure your language training objectives are met.
Cactus Language Training Services
If you are interested in discussing your global language training strategy with the UK leading provider in language training, then get in touch to learn more about your language learning options. From face-to-face, online, blended learning and in company tuition Cactus Language Training will help you find the delivery and schedule that meets your needs. Cactus offer any language wherever you are and whenever you choose. Download our Free Corporate Brochure.
For information on any of our language training services, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have.
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