A survey by international recruitment platform Hays indicates that the use of English is seen as a key skill for most employers across Europe. However, the study also found that this perception varies from country to country. In general, UK employers expect more candidates to have skills in the language, with 35% citing it as a “must-have” for their job.
Is English a key employability skill? The answer may surprise you. This is because the language of work does not always have to be English. There are many different ways for candidates to demonstrate their language skills, and employers often favor those that demonstrate adaptability and flexibility.
As a nation, we’ve grown to value our English-speaking skills. We’re hardwired to be multi-lingual and have shown that we’ll go the extra mile for what we consider important. But is English a key employability skill? And can you measure its impact on your career? Here’s everything you need to know about the topic of English language proficiency.
While English is one of the most popular languages around the world, it is also a hard language to learn. And as more people study English, they’re becoming better at it.
English in the workplace and career advancement
We found that one third of learners from global markets like Asia, Europe and South America are learning English to apply for a job in their own country, while another third said they were learning English in order to work overseas. Our research also suggests that global businesses could do more to develop their employees’ English skills, as 92% of non-native English speaking employees say English is important for career progression, yet only 7% of those same employees say they are able to communicate effectively at work. The infographic below illustrates how the helps identify the language skills employees need to communicate effectively at work.
What are employability skills?
These special skills go by several names—job skills, work skills and workforce readiness skills. Ultimately, employability skills are general skills employers look for during recruitment, succession planning and other stages of talent development. With the growing global workforce, English skills have become a critical employability skill and yet many companies still struggle to define what English proficiency means to them. See how strategically investing in employability skills, like English, can improve employee productivity and result in thousands of savings. See also, Learning English and employability.
Should I learn to speak another language besides English?
Next year is the International Year of Languages. And what better way to celebrate than by encouraging everyone to learn another language? Take it from linguists—learning a second or third language can expand your thinking and enhance your social life, even if that means making time for English learning in between classes! Learn more about why studying languages other than English could be good for you »
Learn more about how other companies are embracing English as a business skill » See learn English.
The bottom line – English is a Master Key for Business
English can unlock so many benefits, including increasing international competitiveness and boosting profitability. If you’re ready to start broadening your business horizons by embracing the power of English as a global language—then connect with us today. We will help make it happen before 2017 ends! DMV has helped companies across industries improve their workers’ efficiency and productivity through: The development of English as a Second Language programs to increase their teams’ productivity and efficiency.
The development of ESL Business Inspirations™ English language strategies that are designed to improve the employee experience and help employees reach business goals. If you would like more information on how DMV can become your go-to source for improving the way you communicate, please visit Diagnostic Office Solutions, our family of companies specializing in: import ocating staff quality services.
What I learned from a Portfolio Update
I was just asked to write a portfolio update in English. First, here are my thoughts on this assignment: Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not about grafting the language onto yourself like Okra pods on kudu antelope body parts…it’s more of an exercise bringing out your pop-cultural references—which could be associated with words or phrases used in daily life and work situations (watch out for new year’s day in 2016; pass the test).
Second, remember that this is not a graded task—even your mother wouldn’t want to be told how good or bad you are on an assessment. Also, check with me if some of those things aren’t your cup of tea…you can write about anything here. Listen: what I wrote just now was not traditional expository prose (more like inspired automatic writing)— but my first try at it.
I know that this is not your typical “polished” piece, but I bet some brilliant reader of yours might now understand a ways to improve his/her English writing skill set and voice—if you would like to share the voices (your own and your kids, if any) in suggesting how you break down the cold reads for improvement…I will take care of most or all areas commented on below:
In this work, I will detail student assessments and their results; my comments on most essay prompts that have been performed thus far. The Division of English must communicate with the teachers to solve any questions that may occur when referencing or providing marginalia for scoring purposes.
Also in this portfolio evidence a description of other DARE activities undertaken by our program—such as International Learners Day Activities, GATE 2.0 training via FAFSA demonstrations and
website activities (click the Info link) along with conferences/presentations at Toulouse Capitole International Universities (TCIU) for computer technologies in Education.
In conclusion, I encourage you to consider this essay analysis and these other curricular activities as two part of an integrated whole, rather than a collection of separate tasks. We have found that in the long-run our students improve their English writing proficiency at every level—from beginning level conversations to complex expository pieces like AP Essay abstracts or graduation speeches—through repetition, practice (repetition) and participation in many different scenarios…
We hope that you will continue to support our students’ explorations of the many different ways that they participate in a global community as well.