Should Language Learning be Part of Your Employee Benefits Package?

Back in 2007, global fast-food giant McDonald’s launched a brand-new employee benefits scheme called ‘English Under the Arches’ (EUA) which offered English language classes to its employees. Since then, almost 4,000 employees have graduated through the scheme, transforming their careers, their daily lives and the skills they can offer the organization. 

McDonald’s isn’t the only large business to offer language training as part of their corporate benefits packages. Although they like to keep the details under wraps, companies like Google, Salesforce, Adobe and Amazon provide educational opportunities that can help benefit their employees and business alike. 

So why do successful businesses like these offer language training as part of their employee benefits package? And should you do the same? Let’s find out.

Why offer language training as part of your benefits package?

To put it simply, if you want to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market, you need to give your employees the tools needed for success. By building their skills and abilities, you strengthen your own business, lifting the lid on your potential. 

As a Forbes Insight Study outlined in 2011, “In global, multicultural organizations, simply expecting all employees to speak one common language, such as English, marginalizes the potential impact of international talent and leaves monolingual staff ill-equipped to help the organization compete effectively in a globalized environment.”

In a post-global pandemic world fraught with new economic pressures and with learning opportunities rated the top Global Human Capital Trend for 2019, it’s more important than ever to maximize our existing resources and give ourselves this head start. 

But that’s not where the benefits end. Corporate language learning can also benefit your team and your business in a variety of ways. For example, it can also;  

• Boost a sense of teamwork, belonging and inclusivity;
• Upgrade your employee’s listening and communication skills;
• Improve both communication between colleagues and clients and customer service;
• Enhance motivation and productivity;
• Develop a greater understanding of foreign cultures, business practices and social etiquette;
• Encourage creativity, ‘out of the box’ thinking and collaboration;
• Increase business opportunities across new and existing international markets;
• Provide employees with a sense of achievement, confidence and feeling valued;
• Improved customer service and client relations;
• Help your organization attract and retain key talent.

Add corporate language learning to your benefits package

If you want to maximize your chances of success in 2021 and beyond like McDonald’s, Google and Amazon, you need to invest in a corporate language learning package today. Not only will you be investing in your team members’ and helping them to improve their abilities and confidence levels, but you’ll also provide your business with a powerful advantage that will provide an excellent return on investment. 

Whether you choose a convenient, affordable and effective language app like Mondly that can be used in your employees’ own time, or you’d prefer to offer face to face classes, language learning is an essential part of your employee benefits package for the post-COVID world. 

Give your business a competitive edge. Ask us about our corporate language packages at business@mondly.com