The number of foreign language speakers in the United States has increased an impressive 90% since 1990. There are 38.4 million Spanish speakers reported in the US. The next most common language is Chinese, with 3 million speakers, followed by 1.6 million Tagalog speakers, 1.4 million Vietnamese speakers and 1.3 million French speakers. These populations […]
Continue readingThe Importance of Assessing Employee Language Skills for Specific Positions
Note: This post has been updated on April 2, 2024 to reflect the changes to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. How well does one need to be able to speak a language to use that language effectively and appropriately in the workplace? What language tasks does that individual need to accomplish successfully? How accurate must one’s […]
Continue readingLet’s Talk About It, Language Proficiency in the Workplace
We’re operating in a global economy. As a result, competition is far reaching, and companies are increasingly finding themselves at a competitive disadvantage when employees lack the functional language skills needed to do their job. These companies should be considering the following questions; are your employees actually qualified to communicate in another language effectively? How […]
Continue readingExpand Your Company’s Multilingual Talent and Expand Your Global Reach
The time to expand and assess the language proficiency of your employees is now. A recent opinion article in the Training Journal indicated that “language learning will become an integral part of [a] company’s corporate strategy” as a means of improving international negotiations and relationships, as well as internal business operations. This article is part […]
Continue readingLTI celebrates 25 years of language testing expertise
In 1992, Language Testing International (LTI) was founded as a way to bring reliable proficiency testing to a wider audience, and so began our close partnership with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Twenty-five years and almost three million assessments later, LTI is still proud to be the official testing office […]
Continue readingFour Critical Questions To Ask When Choosing a Selection Test
Pre-employment selection tests can be valuable tools, providing vital information about candidates’ applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities before they are offered employment. Ideally, this information will save you time and money by increasing the likelihood that candidates will perform well and stay on the job. To reap these rewards, however, you must carefully weigh your […]
Continue readingDoes Bilingualism in America Threaten the English Language?
English is in no danger of disappearing any time soon; it is firmly established both in America and in countries throughout the world. In fact, no language has ever held as strong a position in the world as English does today. Some people worry when they see Spanish showing up on billboards and pay phones, […]
Continue readingLatest Anti-Discrimination Rules: Language Assistance for Non-English Speakers
On May 18, 2016, United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its final rules implementing new anti-discrimination rules for Non-English Speakers within provisions of the Affordable Care Act § 1557. This is the first of several alerts discussing aspects of the new rule. The alert focuses on those provisions requiring language assistance for persons with limited English […]
Continue readingThe Language Trend in Future Global Markets
Research by the Modern Language Association indicates that the number of American students who learned a language other than English decreased by about 100,000 between 2009 and 2013. So what does this mean exactly? For starters, it means the demand for multilingual employees is rising. This trend has made the need for language testing across many markets […]
Continue readingEmployer Demand for Multilinguals Is Rising
Today’s job market is desperate for graduates who speak multiple languages. “Languages are always good for us,” says Julia McDonald, head of talent acquisition for EMEA at Infosys. English is the company’s common language, “but our clients often want people that can speak their local language,” Julia says. Mark Davies, employer relations manager at London’s Imperial College Business School, […]
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