When selecting a corporate language training platform for your business, one that has a strategic impact on the organization, it’s vital to take into account several factors that enhance the likelihood of training program success.
In this article, we will delve into 12 essential aspects that deserve your attention when making this strategic decision.
Carefully analyze these elements to make an informed choice, boost your team’s communication skills, and pave the way for the business opportunities the company needs to grow.
What to Consider When Choosing a Language Platform for Businesses
#1 Alignment with Corporate Objectives
Most language platforms available in the market focus on meeting personal needs, such as placing orders in restaurants and using public transportation while traveling.
However, to enhance communication efficiency in companies that use languages daily in their operations, it is advantageous to opt for language platforms tailored to the business environment, prioritizing the teaching of vocabulary and topics relevant to business.
It is advisable to research success stories in companies similar to yours, operating in the same industry and having similar structures, to identify how corporate language programs using this platform have delivered positive results.
#2 Accessibility
Does the organization value diversity initiatives? If so, it is important to verify whether the selected platform is accessible to individuals with visual and hearing impairments.
Ensure that it offers digital accessibility features such as screen readers and keyboard navigation for visually impaired individuals, as well as transcriptions for all video content, making the experience inclusive for those with hearing impairments.
#3 Availability
Professionals are finding less time to dedicate to learning, making it crucial for platforms to be accessible and for classes and content to be consumed quickly.
Here are some features that make a language platform more accessible for the team:
- Scheduling and canceling classes that employees can easily manage through the platform themselves
- The ability to take classes on mobile devices
- Offering short-duration classes and lessons, following the microlearning approach, to fit into limited time intervals
#4 Instructor Qualifications
Make sure to assess the qualifications of language instructors on the platform. The simple fact that someone is a native speaker of a language does not automatically guarantee the ability to effectively convey information during training.
It is advisable to choose platforms that have a rigorous process for selecting, training, and certifying instructors who specialize in business languages.
#5 Skills-Based Guidance
Much has been discussed about how companies are changing their hiring approach, prioritizing skills and competencies rather than solely focusing on academic qualifications – skills-based hiring.
This trend is also reflected in corporate education, where the focus is increasingly shifting towards skills.
When looking for an English language teaching platform for businesses, it is recommended to choose one that adopts this model, allowing employees not only to acquire the necessary languages for global communication but also the opportunity to learn content tailored to your industry, departments, or roles, helping employees perform their professional activities better.
In skills management, mapping is essential: look for a platform that can conduct a mapping of your team’s needs to understand the program’s objectives and each individual’s learning paths.
#6 Content Beyond Live Classes
Regarding content, it is important to examine what the platform offers beyond live classes. Check if there are lessons and courses available that employees can take at any time, as supplements to the live classes.
Ensure that these resources include audio and video elements, as this will aid in better understanding and retention of topics.
#7 Access to Metrics and Reports
To create an effective language training plan, it is essential to have full access to key metrics that will assess the program’s success and identify improvement opportunities at the right time.
A dashboard that allows analysis of these indicators will provide administrators with the necessary visibility to develop a program that can truly make a significant impact on the organization.
#8 Support and Assistance
There is a significant difference between having a well-structured program with objectives aligned with the organization’s business needs and simply providing the tool to employees.
If the organization considers it strategic to maintain an ongoing language upskilling program, it is advisable to seek a platform that not only offers the system itself but also provides advisory support.
This includes a success team and assistance to guide implementation, map needs, promote the program, analyze metrics such as training ROI and productivity gain, and make regular improvements.
#9 Team Support
Look for a language platform that has a support channel for your employees so that you do not become overwhelmed with mediating demands and questions about the platform.
#10 Scalability and Future Readiness
To make your process more efficient, seek a platform that is scalable. This means that even if your project starts with a limited number of participants, it will be easy to increase the number of participants and make substitutions as needed.
If your organization operates in multiple countries and languages, it is important to consider the availability of classes in other languages, even if your initial program focuses on a single language.
This can be helpful in future expansion projects or internal mobility and recruitment initiatives, such as international transfers.
When evaluating scalability features, don’t forget to inquire about data security and integration availability.
#11 Personalization
Fact: a company with 20,000 employees will have 20,000 different learning paths, different needs, and different contexts. How do you create a program that fits each employee? The answer lies in personalization.
With artificial intelligence, it is possible to “train” the platform to adapt to what the employee needs most in their daily life and recommend courses and lessons that make sense for the position or department they occupy.
#12 Customization
Some corporate language programs start with a specific demand, such as a sales department of a company that is expanding into new regions and wants to improve the team’s proficiency in English.
By choosing a platform that allows customization, it is possible to transform the company’s own content, such as sales calls, into lessons with vocabulary and content that aligns perfectly with the business’s demands.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right language platform for your company is a crucial strategic decision that involves a series of fundamental considerations.
Remember that the choice of the platform should align with your company’s objectives, be accessible and flexible, offer quality support, ensure scalability, and allow for customization. By carefully considering these factors, you will be on the right path to implementing a language training program that will significantly contribute to your organization’s success.
Is the impact your organization desires related to communicating with customers and suppliers worldwide? Make it happen with a team that communicates fluently in business-focused languages – Schedule a 15-minute assessment with Voxy.
