Studies show that multilingualism will continue to be an important aspect of the world economy in the future. Globalization and digital connectivity are the order of the day when it comes to doing business. Interactions involving people or businesses from different countries are now increasingly common. Companies capable of communicating effectively with customers and partners in their native or preferred languages will have a competitive advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cMultilingualism is good for the economy, researchers have found. Countries that actively nurture different languages reap a range of rewards, from more successful exports to a more innovative workforce,\u201d (Hardach).<\/p>\n
Certify Prospective Employee Language Skills<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The benefits and economic rewards of speaking a two or more languages are not just for the individual. Investing in a multilingual workforce can help employers of all sizes operating in both domestic and international markets. As stated in a study conducted for ACTFL, among U.S. employers, exporters are more reliant on foreign language skills than non-exporters and the need is not expected to abate in the years to come. According to the report\u2019s highlights, employers in the healthcare and social assistance sector are the most likely to expect a growing demand, followed by employers in trade, education services, professional and technical services, and construction.<\/p>\n It is crucial to prioritize establishing a team with multilingual skills and cross-cultural competencies if the company\u2019s goals are directed toward reaching out to new customers in international markets, exporting more goods, and building strong and long-lasting working relationships in a global economy. One of the recommendations listed in the study is training candidates or employees who lack the required level of language proficiency. While various roles require high proficiency, others only need working knowledge of a language in a particular area. As cited in the study, the U.S. Department of Labor has reported that translators and interpreters are among the fastest-growing occupations with a projected growth of 31 percent between 2016 and 2026.<\/p>\n The reality is that attaining the required language capacity in the workplace can expand a company\u2019s global reach and increase its profits exponentially. If an organization wants to offer the best experience to clientele who has little to no command of English and build brand loyalty in targeted ethnic markets, it is important to assess the language skills of current or prospective employees for specific positions. It is essential for a company\u2019s success to make sure the organization\u2019s workforce has the right language proficiency skills to meet the growing need for multilingual customer service. Language proficiency assessments reduce the risk of misunderstandings in detailed business interactions that can lead to reputational harm or loss of credibility.<\/p>\n Partnering with a trustworthy and experienced language assessment provider can facilitate language proficiency testing as a valid part of the hiring process. Language Testing International (LTI), the exclusive provider of ACTFL language proficiency assessments, has over three decades of experience in partnering with organizations to assess language skills of their current and prospective employees. Contact LTI today<\/a> to ensure you get the accurate proficiency measurements of your multilingual workforce. LTI provides your candidates with internationally recognized ACTFL language credentials in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in more than 120 languages. The remotely proctored assessments can be taken at anytime and anywhere, securely.<\/p>\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. <\/em>(2019). \u201cMaking Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.\u201d https:\/\/www.leadwithlanguages.org\/report<\/a><\/p>\n Hardach, Sophie. \u201cSpeaking more than one language can boost economic growth\u201d. World Economic Forum. Feb 6, 2018.<\/p>\nImpact of Multilingualism on the Economy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Growing a Multilingual Workforce<\/strong><\/h3>\n