This case study reveals how one company found the answer – and optimised their language learning strategy and address specific skill gaps within their workforce – through strategic online language audits. E-learning platforms are popular – but are they delivering the speaking skills your employees need? Are your language training investments delivering real ROI? Discover how you can use online language audits to transform your strategy and maximise results.
Background: smarter language training starts here
The company, a prominent player in the energy sector with a significant presence in Poland, decided to invest in foreign language training for its employees. The chosen method was a popular e-learning platform, a solution offering flexibility and accessibility for learners. Prior to launching the language learning programme, the company recognised the need to understand the initial language proficiency levels of their employees. A year later, they aimed to measure the progress made and evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen e-learning approach.
To achieve these objectives, the company partnered with Focus Audit Tool, a provider of comprehensive online language audit solutions. We conducted initial language assessments before the commencement of training and follow-up audits after a year of e-learning.
Methodology: comprehensive language audit
The language audit designed by Focus Audit Tool consisted of five key components, evaluating a full spectrum of language skills:
- Grammar knowledge: assessing the understanding and application of grammatical structures.
- Vocabulary range: evaluating the range of vocabulary knowledge.
- Reading comprehension: measuring the ability to understand written texts.
- Writing skills: assessing the ability to produce written communication.
- Speaking skills: evaluated through a structured conversation with a certified language auditor to assess fluency, pronunciation, and practical language application in spoken interaction.
This comprehensive approach allowed for a detailed understanding of each employee’s language proficiency, going beyond a basic level assessment.
Uncovering hidden needs: language audit reveals key training areas
The initial audits provided a clear picture of the baseline language levels across the organisation, enabling the company to set realistic expectations for participants in the e-learning programme. Furthermore, the follow-up audits after one year revealed valuable insights into the effectiveness of the e-learning platform and highlighted areas for potential improvement.
One notable observation was that while employees demonstrated progress in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing – skills typically well-supported by e-learning platforms – speaking skills showed less significant development. This suggested that while the platform was effective in building foundational knowledge and passive language skills, it was less successful in fostering the practical application of language in spoken communication.
This finding led the company to reconsider its language learning strategy. While recognising the benefits of e-learning platforms – such as flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility – the audits highlighted a critical gap in developing communicative competence, particularly in speaking.
Data that drives change: audit-based language strategy optimisation
Based on the audit findings, the company made a strategic decision to evolve its approach to language training. Recognising the strengths and weaknesses of different learning modalities, the company decided that upon completion of the initial contract with e-learning platform, future language development initiatives would adopt a more blended learning approach.
The revised strategy would prioritise online classes with language instructors to specifically address the need for improved speaking skills and practical language application. The e-learning platform will be retained, but its role will be adjusted to become a supplementary tool, supporting grammar and vocabulary reinforcement and providing additional learning resources.
Data-driven language development
Language audits can empower organisations to move beyond generic language training programmes towards data-driven, strategic language development. By leveraging the insights gained from comprehensive language assessments, companies can optimise their learning strategies, address specific skill gaps, and ultimately ensure that investment in language training translates into tangible improvements in employee communication skills and business outcomes.
E-learning platforms, such as Langzy – which we fully recommend – remain valuable tools, particularly for:
- Foundational learning: excellent for initial stages of language acquisition, building a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary.
- Skill reinforcement and knowledge refresh: ideal for practising acquired skills and refreshing previously learned language knowledge, especially for employees returning to language use after a break.
- Learning supplementation: valuable as a supplementary resource to complement other forms of learning, providing additional practice and varied learning materials.
- Cost-effective continuous development: in situations with budget constraints, e-learning platforms offer a cost-effective way to facilitate continuous language development within the organisation.
However, as highlighted in this case, for developing practical communicative skills, especially speaking, a blended approach incorporating live interaction with instructors may prove to be a more effective long-term strategy. Online language audits provide the critical data needed to make informed decisions about the optimal balance of learning modalities and ensure that language training investments deliver the desired results.
Beyond e-learning: the power of language audits for strategic HR
This case study underscores the strategic value of online language audits for HR departments seeking to optimise language learning investments and achieve tangible results. Language audits, like those provided by Focus Audit Tool, offer several key benefits:
- Precise needs assessment: audits provide a clear understanding of the current language proficiency levels within an organisation, enabling HR to tailor training programmes to specific needs and skill gaps.
- Measurable progress tracking: follow-up audits allow for objective measurement of learning progress and the effectiveness of chosen learning methodologies. This data-driven approach enables HR to demonstrate the ROI of language training initiatives.
- Strategic resource allocation: by identifying areas where training is most effective and areas requiring alternative approaches, audits inform strategic decisions about resource allocation, ensuring that investments are targeted for maximum impact.
- Optimising learning strategies: audits provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different learning methods, enabling HR to refine their learning strategies and adopt blended approaches that address all critical language skills.
- Justifying investment in enhanced training: in situations where audits reveal specific skill gaps, such as speaking proficiency in this case, the data provides a compelling justification for investing in more targeted and potentially resource-intensive solutions, like online classes with instructors or native speakers.