How Language Learning Fuels Business Expansion

Advantages of a linguistically-competent business

As the American writer Rita Mae Brown once said, “Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” With these words, the writer could pinpoint a language’s essence and importance.

While any language can be learned from anywhere in the world, what makes you truly connect with it is when you combine it with the understanding of the culture it belongs to. After all, if a concept does not exist in a culture, its language will not include the word that represents that concept. As a result, linguistic ability contributes to building a more inclusive, adaptable, and globally competitive organization.

More specifically, here are the key areas that can be improved and enhanced by language learning:

Market Research:

With high language proficiency, businesses can gather useful information about their target market directly from local sources.

Market Access:

Learning the language of a target market enables your business to better understand local customs, customers’ needs, and business practices, enabling it to establish itself more effectively in local markets.

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition:

A company that promotes multilingualism attracts diverse talent, which can drive innovation and creativity.

Adaptability and Agility:

Businesses with multilingual employees can respond more quickly to changes in global markets, react to emerging opportunities, and navigate challenges more smoothly.

Brand Image and Reputation:

Language proficiency indicates a commitment to global engagement and promotes a positive brand image.

Building Relationships:

Speaking the language of stakeholders builds rapport and trust. It demonstrates respect for their culture and language, which can lead to stronger relationships and smoother negotiations.

Expanding Networks:

Networking is key to business success. Communicating in different languages can help your company attend international industry events and conferences. These are crucial occasions where you can form partnerships and recognize opportunities.

How to help your team achieve English language proficiency

You might have heard of General English, but what about Business English?