WHAT IS THE BEST METHODOLOGY TO TRAIN EMPLOYEES IN BUSINESS LANGUAGES?

Are you wondering what’s the best methodology to train employees in business languages? Language training for companies is essential for businesses to stay competitive in their niches. Also, if you want to rise to the occasion and leverage business opportunities that may arise, having your employees speak the necessary languages will be key.

But despite all the benefits of language training for companies, the truth is that although companies invest billions in training annually, a small percentage of those trainings have the desired impact.

That’s why choosing the right methodology for language training for companies is key to success. In this article, we’ll dive deep into language training for companies, and the best methodology to implement a language training plan that works.

Online training for companies: building a language training plan

Once you made an initial audit that helps you identify your company’s specific training needs, the second step in the process of implementing language training for companies is developing a training plan.

A training plan will help you achieve your goals effectively. Here are the 2 main elements of a good plan for language training for companies:

  • Meeting: a professional pedagogical team meets with the managers of each department and or the HR team and establishes the most appropriate training for employees.
  • Workgroups: the company, together with the pedagogical team, designate working groups or individual classes with specific teachers and prepares an annual curriculum of teaching hours.

Problems to avoid with online training for companies

When it comes to online training for companies, there are many options to choose from.

One way to make sure you pick effective language training for your company is to follow the right methodology. Here are 3 mistakes to avoid when it comes to implementing online corporate learning:

  • No business customization: make sure the language training for companies you implement is custom-tailored to your business. Performing an initial audit is key to that.
  • Employee sense of loneliness: there are many types of language online training for companies. One-to-one or group classes. When it comes to language, it’s essential to be able to talk and practice. Although many courses offer the possibility of repeating phrases and checking your pronunciation, the truth is the only way to achieve a good level of the language is by talking to someone. Whether in individual or group classes, make sure the employee can practice speaking with an assigned teacher.
  • Wrong training for the wrong people: not all your employees need the same type of language training. One of the most common mistakes is to buy a generic language course for all employees. That will be a complete failure. If you don’t want your employees to feel frustrated with the training make sure you assign the right type of corporate learning to your employees.

Virtual classroom: an online training for companies essential

Online language training for companies classes can be individual or group. It all will depend on your specific company’s and employees’ needs. Whether it’s one or the other type of online training, a virtual classroom will be an essential element.

Having a virtual classroom will help your employees enjoy the benefits of in-person interaction, online. It’s a personalised and flexible tool they will use to take their lessons. They’ll find different elements and functions available, such as:

  • A videoconference screen: to take their lessons.
  • A virtual whiteboard: to enhance the language learning experience.
  • Sharing screen feature: so you can have an explanation from the teacher’s eyes.
  • Document sharing feature: to easily manage classroom documents.
  • Task assignment feature: so the students know what steps to take next.

2 Smart ways to include language training for companies in your business

Now that you know what the best methodology to train employees in business languages is, here are some smart ways to include language training for companies in your business so it doesn’t represent an additional financial investment:

  • Funded training: Financed training for businesses is a credit for companies to train their employees in the skills they need for work. It is designed so that company employees have more and better skills to perform in their positions. It is managed by FUNDAE (State Foundation for Employment Training), and it can be applied to different disciplines. Language training for companies is one of them. 
  • Flexible remuneration: it’s a type of remuneration in which employees perceive a part of their salary in cash and the other one in kind. Kind means certain goods and services such as transportation, food, school and health services, training for companies, etc., they would have to pay for anyway. It’s a win-win because it doesn’t represent an additional financial investment for the company (since it’s part of the salary) and it helps the employee save money since is tax-exempt.

Ready to implement a language online training plan for your company? Check out our language courses.