English is the international language of business and a foundational skill for many roles. The right level of English proficiency is key for individuals and businesses to excel.
But what is the “right” level?
English is not a one-size-fits-all skill. Customer Service Representatives need different English skills to IT Systems Managers. Senior staff will often need more advanced English skills than junior staff.
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We know that, for hiring professionals, it can be a challenge to work out your specific language requirements. You aren’t English assessors, so you may default to using vague descriptions, like “strong English skills” or always asking for a B2-level English certification.
But taking this approach means you might be asking for more or less proficiency than the role needs. The knock-on effect? You miss out on great candidates for your roles, spend more money upskilling new hires and waste time on unsuitable applicants.
Being precise about the English skills needed for specific roles enables hiring managers to get the right candidate(s). It can help you:
ʱDz’s GSE Job Profiles gives professionals accurate English language skill profiles for almost 1400 roles, so you can identify applicants with role-fit English skills.
GSE Job Profiles gives talent acquisition professionals a competitive advantage to finding the best staff. It helps you go beyond generic language skill requirements for candidates, set targeted cut scores based on global standards and reduce the risk of mis-hires. A bad hire can cost you of the employee's salary, an expense that typically increases with job level.
Powered byʱDz’s GSEand, GSE Job Profiles is the first and only tool mapping English skills to roles, giving you trusted global benchmarks for English language assessments. It’s the result of over 30 years of language learning, developed using real English test responses and validated by industry experts.
Defining the role requirements is a crucial step in the hiring process. It involves identifying the key tasks, skills and qualifications needed for the role. A well-defined description helps attract the right applicant and ensures that the hiring process is focused on finding the best fit for the position.
To define the role requirements, managers should consider the following:
This will help attract qualified candidates and ensure that the process is efficient and effective.
Here’s how to integrate GSE Job Profiles insights into your hiring processes and hire best-fit candidates for your roles fast.
1. Identify the English skills needed for your roles:Remove the guesswork and find out the right level of English for your roles using ourGSE Job Profilesdemo or by getting in touch with our experts.
2. Assess candidates’ language ability: Use a fast, accurate and business-relevant English test, like Versant by ɫèAV, to get a complete picture of your potential candidates’ language competency.
3. Compare candidate results with cut scores: Progress candidates that meet the agreed-upon required English level for the role.
4. Ensure a fast start with upskilling recommendations: Use GSE Job Profile insights to make targeted language learning recommendations for new hires and help them thrive in their roles.
GSE Job Profiles is a game-changer for HR professionals looking to hire top employees. By leveraging this powerful tool, you can make data-driven hiring decisions, enhance candidate-role fit, and ultimately drive business success.
Ready to revolutionize your hiring?
Or, for access to the full GSE Job Profiles database,book a free consultationwith our experts now.
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.
With the continuous evolution of AI tools, it has become more critical to incorporate AI into our teaching practices. AI has the transformative power to improve our teaching methods, tailor learning experiences, and increase student engagement.
To give you a taste of our webinar 'Teaching in the age of AI: 7 tips for preparing for an educational evolution'. We'll cover seven tips designed to prepare you for an educational evolution with AI.
The first step in integrating AI into your teaching practice is deciding your approach. Are you an AI methodologist who practices based on theory or an AI experimentalist who develops theory based on practice? Both paths are valid, but it's crucial to choose one to avoid inertia. Understanding AI's basics and experimenting with different tools will help you find your footing.
AI should be seen as a thought partner and assistant, not a replacement. Use AI to enhance your creativity and efficiency. For example, if you're stuck on creating a warm-up activity, ask AI for ideas. Treat AI as a helpful assistant to handle tasks you find time-consuming or less enjoyable, allowing you to focus on what you love about teaching.
Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations is essential. AI learns from the data we provide, so it's crucial to feed it accurate and relevant information. Developing empathy for AI means understanding how it processes information and how to give clear instructions to get the best results.
AI can help cover all aspects of language learning, including:
Move beyond simple substitution and augmentation of tasks with AI. Aim for modification and redefinition of your teaching methods. For instance, use AI to create interactive and personalized learning experiences that were previously unimaginable.
AI offers new teaching possibilities that break away from traditional constraints. Embrace these opportunities to redefine your pedagogy. Think about what is now possible with AI that wasn't before and how you can leverage these capabilities to enhance learning.
Use AI to develop formative assessments that provide continuous feedback. These assessments should help students understand their progress and guide you in improving your teaching strategies. AI can generate rubrics, provide instant feedback, and help track student performance over time.
To help you integrate AI into your teaching practice, here are some practical tips and challenges:
1. Experiment with AI tools: Find tools for creating text, audio, images, and video. Create activities using these tools to see how they can enhance your lessons.
2. Develop custom AI applications: Create custom GPTs for specific tasks, such as generating rubrics or formative assessments.
3. Engage students with AI: Design activities where students use AI to generate content, evaluate AI-generated work, and reflect on their learning process.
4. Focus on formative feedback: Use AI to provide continuous, formative feedback to students, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
Integrating AI into your teaching practice is not just about using new tools; it's about transforming your approach to education. By embracing AI, you can create more engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences for your students. As you embark on this journey, remember that the goal is to enhance your teaching, not replace it. Embrace the challenges, experiment with new ideas, and let AI help you become the best educator you can be.
Ready to dive deeper into the world of AI in education? Watch our webinar, 'Teaching in the Age of AI: 7 Tips for Preparing for an Educational Evolution'. Discover how AI can augment teaching, personalize learning, and boost engagement. Delve into the AI-first pedagogy, ethical considerations and practical strategies to make your classroom more effective, engaging, and innovative.
Engaging in conversations, especially in a language that isn't your first, can sometimes be daunting. Whether English isn’t your first language or you’re just looking to improve your conversational skills, having a few handy phrases up your sleeve can make a world of difference. Here are seven essential phrases that can help you navigate conversations in English with greater ease and confidence.
