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No matter what industry you work in, effective communication is key. For many companies, this means ensuring their employees have strong English language skills. As an HR professional, you have the power to play a pivotal role in this process. English tests can be invaluable tools for improving hiring processes, assessing communication skills, and enhancing overall team productivity. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about using English tests in your business.

For more guidance on hiring with confidence, also take a look at our simpleÌýguide to language skill assessment.

Part 1: Understanding English tests

Types of business English tests commonly used in business

When it comes to English tests, there are several types commonly used in the corporate world:

• General proficiency tests: These assess overall English skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Examples include the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication), PTE (ɫèAV Test of English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
• Business English tests: These focus specifically on business-related language skills. Versant by ɫèAV and the BEC (Business English Certificate) are some main examples.
• Skills-specific tests: These assessments evaluate specific skills, such as writing or speaking, in a business setting. Proficiency in English vocabulary is particularly important in these tests, especially for business English. It involves understanding and using business-specific terminology effectively and measures proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills on the GSE or CEFR scale.

How these tests are designed and scored

English tests are usually created by language experts and psychometricians to ensure their reliability and validity. These tests include different types of questions, such as multiple-choice, essays, and spoken responses. Objective questions can be scored by a computer, while essays and spoken responses are typically graded by trained examiners.

Differences between various English proficiency tests

Each English proficiency test has its unique characteristics. For instance, the TOEIC focuses on everyday workplace language, making it better suited for general office environments. On the other hand, the BEC is tailored for more specific business interactions, such as negotiations and presentations. Versant by ɫèAV tests offer a distinctive approach to assessing English proficiency with a focus on communication skills that are critical in a business context. Unlike traditional tests, Versant by ɫèAV assessments assess various aspects of speech, such as pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and syntax for a more rounded overview. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right test for your needs.

Did you know? According to our research, employees who work for a company that provides English language training are more thanÌýtwice as likelyÌýto say they are very satisfied at work, compared to those working in companies that do not.

To retain top talent in an increasingly competitive marketplace, all evidence points to developing communication and language skills.

Communication: the most in-demand business skill

showed that communication skills including English language skills are the most in-demand power skills across the board. PwC’s agrees: the top five predictors for employee turnover all had the same themes in common – communication, empathy and listening skills.

According to , a focus on developing employees’ strengths (as opposed to focusing on fixing weaknesses) can lead to a 20-73% reduction in employee attrition. That’s a startling statistic and one that has the potential to transform your business.

So, the message is clear: by investing in your employees’ existing communication and language strengths, you’re helping them refine a comprehensive range of business power skills. In turn, this will make them feel more engaged and therefore far more likely to stay with you.

3 ways to implement English training to retain top talent

Let’s explore three ways to implement an English language skills learning and development plan that underpins communication skills, refines business soft skills and makes your employees want to stay.

1. Find out what training employees want

To tailor a culture of learning that supports the development of your employees’ language and communication skills, you’ll find it helpful to get their input first. Survey and interview your team to better understand current barriers to language-specific learning, skills gaps, preferred learning styles and current frustrations.

For example, is it speaking, listening or reading English that they currently struggle with the most? The better you understand your employees’ needs, the more consulted and engaged with the process they’ll feel.

2. Reward those who commit to language learning

In 2023, Forbes outlined , and perhaps unsurprisingly, reward featured strongly. Your performance management system should include a structure that acknowledges employees who are committing to achieving their objectives and developing their skills, and demonstrates the career trajectory that might be possible with improved communication and language skills.

What that looks like will differ from organization to organization, but it’s important that employees understand the potential opportunities that come with refining their language skills.

3. Promote the link between language skills and career progression

Your employees may not naturally make the link between developing language skills and career progression, so help them understand how better language skills can help them move forward in their role and how you will support them in this.

When they see that language skills have been built into their development plans, they’ll feel invested in staying with your organization and developing their skills with you.

In a world where communication-based soft skills are more valuable than ever before, the ability to confidently converse in different languages within a business context is an impressive skill that’s transferable to a multitude of other business soft skills, such as teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

Once they understand the full range of benefits that come with developing their language skills, they’ll be grateful that you’re committed to helping them do that and will be more likely to stay.

Boost your workforce’s English language skills and reap the business benefits

It’s clear that when employees feel that their communication skills are improving, they feel a sense of continued progression and engagement – not only in their language abilities but also across a range of other business power skills.

The key to retaining talent lies in increasing engagement, and since higher engagement rates are linked to , according to Gallup, there really is no better way to retain a happy workforce.

Start building your team’s English language skills

Learn how Mondly by ɫèAV can help you reinforce a culture of learning and retain top talent within your organization, with flexible English language learning solutions for your business.

If you liked this blog post and want to learn more,Ìýdownload the PDF report here.

Find out more about how language training and assessment can drive your business forward by checking out our resources for HR professionals, including articles, whitepapers and research.

Reading time: 5 minutes

We know businesses that invest in skills development are more likely to retain top talent, and see many other benefits as well. Upskilling your team's English proficiency can have a transformative effect on the business, leading to new opportunities, growth, and a more engaged workforce. However, implementing a corporate language learning program can be challenging. Using traditional goal-setting frameworks can support you and your team on this journey. Here's how: