Unlocking economic potential with language learning

Samantha Ball
Samantha Ball
Coworkers talking together in an office by windows
Reading time: 5 minutes

As demographic shifts and technological advancements reshape the global workforce, the gap between the skills people have and the skills they need continues to widen. This "skills chasm" is particularly evident in language learning, where traditional education systems often fail to keep pace with the demands of the modern economy.

Unlocking economic potential with language learning
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

The skills chasm in language learning

Demographics and technological disruption

The aging population and declining birth rates mean fewer young people are entering the workforce, including roles that require multilingual capabilities. By 2050, 22% of the world’s population will be over 60, highlighting the need for lifelong language learning to keep older workers engaged and productive.

Also, advancements in AI are reshaping the learning and usage of languages in professional settings. Tools like language translation services and learning applications are increasing the demand for employees who can utilize these technologies and adapt to evolving linguistic tools.

By 2030, it is projected that 65% of job skills will undergo changes, including language capabilities, which will require ongoing improvements in language proficiency. In our report, How English empowers your tomorrow, 40% of survey participants expressed concern that AI could replace their jobs within the next five years. Mastery of English is considered essential for securing careers in a landscape heavily influenced by new technologies and AI.

Economic stakes and language learning

Economic growth

Enhanced language skills can significantly contribute to economic growth. For instance, a one-standard-deviation increase in cognitive skills, which includes language proficiency, is associated with a 1.74 percentage point increase in a country’s annual economic growth. This highlights the economic value of investing in language education.

Transition losses

In language learning, transition losses refer to delays in acquiring essential language skills for employment. Bridging these gaps can lessen economic losses and enhance job readiness.

Research estimates that in the US, annual transition losses reach $1.1 trillion, with a considerable amount stemming from skills gaps, including language proficiency. Our survey results show that those employees who work for a company that offers language training are more than twice as likely to say that they are very satisfied with their job than those working for companies that do not offer any language training. 

However, only 33% of learners indicate that their employer provides language training. Happier employees are more inclined to remain with their company longer, thereby reducing overall turnover costs

Learning to learn

Emphasizing learning-to-learn skills in corporate training for HR professionals can enhance efficiency in employee development. Metacognitive strategies, such as self-assessment and goal setting, help employees retain and apply new concepts and skills more effectively. By investing in and implementing solutions that address these needs, businesses can cultivate a more competent and adaptable workforce. Tools like 'Mondly by Pearson' can support their learning.

Aligning with market needs

Language learning pathways should be aligned with labor market needs. Industries such as international business, tourism, and diplomacy require specific language skills that should be integrated into educational programs. Creating adaptive and transparent pathways for language learning can help individuals navigate their careers more effectively. For help on aligning language skills with jobs, make sure to look at our GSE Job Profiles.

Flexible pathways

Establishing adaptable and clear pathways for language acquisition is crucial. This involves providing modular courses, certifications, and opportunities for real-world language practice. For instance, virtual reality training can create realistic language-use scenarios, guiding learners in determining if they should change their course. For example, Pearson has an AI-driven language training tool named Digital Language Tutor, designed to assist learners in realistic language environments.

The path forward: Investing in language learning for economic success

For HR professionals and decision-makers, the message is clear. Investing in language learning is a strategic economic imperative. Bridging language learning can enhance employee potential while driving significant economic growth and reducing transition losses. 

The future of work demands a proactive approach to language learning, ensuring that individuals and organizations are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in a globalized economy. Read the full report on the skills chasm and find out how to close it with language learning.

Get in touch about our corporate solutions

Read our blog posts 'Real-world English: How GSE Job Profiles bridge learning and work' and 'Improving employee engagement: The crucial role of language learning in business'.

More blogs from Pearson

  • A child in a classroom working on a laptop smiling
    AI and safeguarding in the classroom: What teachers need to know
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in education. Teachers and students may use AI tools to create ideas, support learning, translate text or find information. But as AI becomes part of everyday classroom life, safeguarding needs to remain a priority.

    Safeguarding is about protecting children and young people from harm. When using AI, this means thinking carefully about privacy, online safety, inappropriate content and how students interact with technology.

    Protect students' personal information

    One of the most important safeguarding issues is privacy. Students may be tempted to enter personal information into an AI tool without understanding where that information goes or how it may be used. Personal information could include a student's full name, address, school details, photographs, contact information or information about their family. It could also include sensitive information about their health, behavior or personal circumstances.

    Teachers can help by setting clear rules about what students should and should not share with AI tools. If students are using AI in class, use activities that do not require them to enter personal or sensitive information.

  • A woman working in a office concentrating on her laptop
    Is AI scoring unreliable?
    By Alice Bazzi
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Artificial intelligence has transformed many industries, but in education, one question persists: can you truly trust AI to assess language skills?

    The short answer is yes, and in many cases, AI scoring is more reliable than traditional methods. PTE Express uses advanced machine-learning models trained on hundreds of thousands of real responses to evaluate language proficiency consistently at scale. 

    Unlike human examiners, AI does not experience fatigue, bias, or inconsistency. Every test is assessed using the same criteria, ensuring fairness for all candidates regardless of location or volume. Additionally, AI scoring is not developed in isolation. It is built and continuously refined using input from linguistic experts and large datasets, ensuring that scoring reflects real-world language use and academic expectations. 

  • Woman listening to music with headphones on while lying on sofa
    How to improve your listening skills quickly
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Listening is an important part of learning a language. It helps you understand conversations, follow instructions and communicate with confidence. But listening can also feel difficult, especially when people speak quickly or use words you do not know.

    The good news is that you do not need to spend hours listening every day to improve. With the right practice, you can make progress in just a few minutes. Here are some ways to improve your listening skills quickly.

    1. Listen to something you understand

    Choose audio or video that is close to your current language level. If you understand almost nothing, it can be difficult to learn from it. If you understand every word, you may not be learning much.

    Start with short conversations, learner podcasts or videos with clear speech. You can also use social media content, including memes, short videos and posts in the language you are learning. These can be a fun way to see and hear everyday language without feeling like you are doing a formal lesson.

    For example, you could look at a meme in your target language and try to understand the joke before using a translation tool. Short videos can also help you hear common expressions and the way people speak naturally.

    Try to understand the main idea before worrying about every word. If you are learning English, you could listen to a short conversation about shopping, travel or daily routines. These topics are useful because you are likely to hear similar language in real life.