Evaluating the ROI of Language Learning for DEI Initiatives

Pearson Languages
Two coworkers stood in a office looking at a tablet together.
Reading time: 5 minutes

Language learning has become a pivotal component of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies in forward-thinking organizations, especially for those with international workforces or those working to unlock new markets across the globe.

As businesses increasingly prioritize workforce development and social responsibility, integrating language training into DEI programs offers several advantages:

  • Enriching team morale and employee well-being.
  • Increasing employee engagement, loyalty and trust.
  • Delivering fresh ideas and fostering innovation.
  • Enhancing problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
  • Strengthening customer relationships and amplifying brand reputation.
Measuring the success of your language learning programs
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.

How language training enhances your DEI strategy

We've previously discussed the impact of language learning on various aspects of the workplace, like overcoming DEI barriers and empowering employee success. Our recent Pearson report discusses the influence that language learning has on driving effective DEI strategies. It positions language proficiency as a cornerstone of robust DEI initiatives that unlock untapped growth opportunities. Good communication skills, underscored by competent language abilities, significantly propel the five most sought-after business skills: Leadership and Management, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Digital Skills, and Continuous Learning.

Investing in language skills not only supports international expansion but also aligns with core values and the ethos of progressive and transformational DEI strategies. Improved language proficiency contributes to creating more confident communicators who understand cultural nuances across languages, thereby enhancing empathy and cultural intelligence within the workplace.

7 ways to measure the ROI of language learning

By showing clear evidence of improved employee engagement, increased cross-cultural competencies, increased workforce productivity and enhanced communication effectiveness, language learning ROIs demonstrate not just the financial rewards but the intrinsic value that such initiatives contribute to an organization's DEI success.

When looking to evaluate the impact of language learning programs in your company or organization, here are 7 strategies to consider:

  1. Assess improvements in team communication skills and cultural awareness.

  2. Track progress in language proficiency using reliable assessment tools, such as Versant by Pearson.

  3. Monitor employee engagement surveys to gauge the perceived impact of language learning on inclusivity and belonging.

  4. Analyse retention rates post-implementation of language programs to measure employee loyalty.

  5. Evaluate customer satisfaction to determine the effect of improved language skills on service quality.

  6. Benchmark against industry leaders in DEI to understand where your organization stands and where improvements can be made.

  7. Calculate the financial impact of language learning on revenue, especially in new market penetration and customer retention, to substantiate the economic benefits alongside the moral imperative.

A comprehensive analysis of these metrics will not only underscore the direct ROI of language learning in financial terms but also map the broader influence on corporate culture and external brand perception. The combination of tangible and intangible benefits makes language learning a strategic investment at the core of progressive workforce development and DEI initiatives.

How to implement language learning in your DEI program

To effectively implement language learning programs with ROI considerations at the forefront, organizations should adopt a structured approach. Start by identifying clear objectives that align with your overarching DEI goals and ensure that the language initiatives are tailored to fill specific gaps within your corporate culture. Create a detailed plan encompassing the selection of a suitable language provider, such as our workplace solutions, and define the expected proficiency levels for participating employees.

Establish a comprehensive timeline that includes milestones for progress reviews, employing tools like Versant by Pearson to track advancements in language skills. Ensure a strong support system, including language tutors and cultural training sessions, maintains momentum and engagement amongst learners. In addition, consider creating accountability structures where employees set language learning goals and have regular check-ins to discuss their progress. This can help maintain motivation and commitment to the program.

Finally, communication is key to the successful deployment of any learning initiative. Keep all stakeholders informed of the program's impact through regular reporting on ROI metrics and anecdotal successes. These insights will fuel continuous improvement of the language learning programs and sustain executive support, reinforcing the value of such investments within the corporate DEI strategies.

Why language learning is an investment in DEI

The implementation of language learning within DEI strategies is an investment that can yield a company a substantial return on investment. By translating language proficiency into measurable business outcomes, organizations can enhance their competitive edge, and foster and develop a truly inclusive workplace culture.

Therefore, it is important for forward-thinking leaders to recognize the strategic importance of language learning and embed it within the core of their DEI initiatives, ensuring that it remains an integral part of their organizational ethos.

Dive deeper: language learning and DEI resources

Download the report today to gain a fuller understanding of how language learning can revitalize your company's DEI strategy and contribute to its overall success.

Make sure to read these posts if you want to learn more:

Unconscious bias in the workplace: Overcoming DEI barriers through language learning

Why your performance management strategy needs language learning

Empowering employee success: establishing a learning culture

Bridging cultural divides: The ultimate HR Guide to corporate language training

McKinsey - Why diversity matters

Frequently asked questions

More blogs from Pearson

  • A woman with headphones dancing in her living room

    Dance your way to fluent language learning and enhanced wellbeing

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Language learning can often feel daunting, with its endless vocabulary lists, grammatical structures and pronunciation rules. However, incorporating dance and movement into your study routine can transform this challenge into an engaging, enjoyable experience while significantly benefiting your overall wellbeing. This unusual approach is not only effective for language learners of all ages but also enriches the learning process with fun and physical activity.

    Engaging in movement and dance can substantially impact mental health, as evidenced by various studies and academic research. For instance, a notable study published in the American Journal of Dance Therapy highlighted that dance, particularly in structured environments, can reduce anxiety and improve mood among participants. This connection between dance and mental health improvement can be attributed to the release of endorphins, often referred to as happiness hormones, which occur during physical activity.

  • A teacher stood at the front of the class talking to her class

    English for employability: Why teaching general English is not enough

    By Ehsan Gorji
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Many English language learners are studying English with the aim of getting down to the nitty-gritty of the language they need for their profession. Whether the learner is an engineer, a lawyer, a nanny, a nurse, a police officer, a cook, or a salesperson, simply teaching general English or even English for specific purposes is not enough. We need to improve our learners’ skills for employability.

    The four maxims of conversation

    In his article Logic and Conversation, Paul Grice, a philosopher of language, proposes that every conversation is based on four maxims: quantity, quality, relation and manner. He believes that if these maxims combine successfully, then the best conversation will take place and the right message will be delivered to the right person at the right time.

    The four maxims take on a deeper significance when it comes to the workplace, where things are often more formal and more urgent. Many human resources (HR) managers have spent hours fine-tuning workplace conversations simply because a job candidate or employee has not been adequately educated to the level of English language that a job role demands. This, coupled with the fact that many companies across the globe are adopting English as their official corporate language, has resulted in a new requirement in the world of business: mastery of the English language.

    It would not be satisfactory for an employee to be turned down for a job vacancy, to be disqualified after a while; or fail to fulfil his or her assigned tasks, because their English language profile either does not correlate with what the job fully expects or does not possess even the essential must-have can-dos of the job role.

    How the GSE Job Profiles can help

    The Job Profiles within the Global Scale of English (GSE) Teacher Toolkit can help target those ‘must-have can-dos’ related to various job roles. The ‘Choose Learner’ drop-down menu offers the opportunity to view GSE Learning Objectives for four learner types: in this case, select ‘Professional Learners’. You can then click on the ‘Choose Job Role’ button to narrow down the objectives specific for a particular job role – for example, ‘Office and Administrative Support’ and then ‘Hotel, Motel and Resort Desk Clerks’.

    Then, I can choose the GSE/CEFR range I want to apply to my results. In this example, I would like to know what English language skills a hotel desk clerk is expected to master for B1-B1+/GSE: 43-58.

  • A group of business people sat together at a desk

    Beyond borders: Harnessing the power of English language skills for a global competitive edge

    By Samantha Yates
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    How does increasing English proficiency drive international growth? Read on to find out how future-focused business leaders are gaining a competitive edge globally by investing in English language training.

    The link between English language proficiency and global business growth is indisputable, and this presents leaders with an exciting opportunity to gain a competitive advantage.