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Lack of Language Skills Halts Career Development

2007 July, 09

One of the most significant issues limiting career development, and therefore the ability of the UK to compete in a global market, is a deficiency in language skills.

The UK skills shortage is rapidly becoming a big problem, not only for job seekers but for the economy. One of the most significant issues limiting career development, and therefore the ability of the UK to compete in a global market, is a deficiency in language skills.

According to a recent survey by CILT, The National Centre for Languages, the UK's weakness in foreign language proficiency is severely hampering its ability to trade effectively in today’s globally competitive climate. In over 20 per cent of cases, it was blamed for the loss of business. To add insult to injury, the UK was recently ranked bottom in a league table of 28 European countries in terms our language capabilities.

Since UK businesses are not promoting the study of foreign languages and are reluctant to improve their employees’ linguistic proficiency; it is time for employees with international aspirations to take it upon themselves to provide the UK with these much needed language skills.

The key to the UK’s language problems is rooted in our education system. Language learning in our schools is on the decline. ‘A’ level entrants for French and German have fallen by a third since 1999 and applicants for language courses in universities are dropping sharply, threatening the future of many language courses in several universities.

In recent years, compulsory language learning for students in the UK over the age of 14 has been scrapped - a major step back for the UK in terms of providing language skills for the expanding global job market. According to CILT, while only one third of UK graduates would feel confident working abroad, EU expansion and the opening up of emerging markets, such as China, presents a huge opportunity for job seekers. Unless employees become more linguistically savvy, they look set to lose out to their European counterparts.

It is clear that UK job seekers need to dramatically reassess their attitude to transferable language skills, placing even greater importance on language learning if they are to compete in today’s global job market.

Those employees who have language skills vouch for the difference it makes. Last year, Rosetta Stone, the language learning specialists, conducted a survey of over 200 bilingual business people at the Language Show in London. The results showed that three quarters of respondents had furthered their career prospects by speaking a second language. The most commonly spoken languages were French (58 per cent), Spanish (47 per cent), German (31 per cent) and Italian (24 per cent).

Being able to speak a second language has a number of benefits for the individual, both socially and psychologically. As the world becomes more globalised, employers are placing increasing value on candidates who can speak additional languages. These employees, who are in demand as they can communicate with clients, suppliers and colleagues abroad, find that they have many more opportunities available to them.

Although evening classes are a common method of language learning for 44 per cent, others are put off by their time constraints and inflexibility. More than 70 per cent of respondents would consider using online methods to learn an additional language.

So, given the significant benefits of a second language and the proven positive effect on career development, why are UK employees not expanding their foreign language skills?

One potential barrier to language learning is cost. One to one language training is often prohibitively expensive and the range of languages needed is shifting. In the past few years corporate training budgets have been cut back and there is also the added issue of busy executives not being able to afford the time to undertake classroom-based language training at work, or to attend evening classes in their spare time.

Another reason that language learning is overlooked is the lack of knowledge about alternatives to traditional classroom based training.

Online language learning affords anywhere, anytime learning at a relatively low cost; but it can also be highly interactive and dynamic and is the fastest way for learners to become fluent. Technology has advanced to such a degree that, in many cases, online language learning has proven to be more effective than traditional learning methods.

It is most beneficial for learners to select dynamic immersion e-learning software, a methodology that teaches learners a new language in the same way they learnt their first language; by linking new words with real-world objects and events. This method of e-learning does not use translation, avoids tedious memorising and grammar drills and instead, relies on thousands of real-life images, written texts and voices of native speakers to teach learners in the most natural way possible. It also includes voice recognition technology and a feedback mechanism, so learners can improve their pronunciation and check that their accent is correct. A major benefit of immersion e-learning language learning software is that with no translation, it is equally effective for learners of any background and therefore ideally suited to employees wishing to put themselves ahead of the crowd.

E-learning offers a cost-effective and flexible method of language learning that could help shift employees attitudes and gear up today’s employees to take advantage of tomorrow’s market opportunities. Language learning should not be overlooked. It could help close the UK skills gap, place UK executives on a level playing field with their European counterparts and ensure that the UK is not left lagging behind.