News
An international survey of 1,300 HR directors confirms the major role of English in a world that is more globalized than ever.
Published by the TOEIC® Program, The Global English Skills Report highlights the importance of English proficiency as a key factor in global collaboration, economic growth, and professional effectiveness. The report, based on a survey of 1,300 HR directors in 17 countries, also reveals that English proficiency enables companies to optimize the use of Artificial Intelligence. Organizations that prioritize training and the accurate assessment of English skills could improve their competitiveness in the workplace of tomorrow.
English: A More Strategic Language Than Ever
In an increasingly globalized workplace, proficiency in English has become a major competitive factor for companies.
- 92% of HR directors surveyed believe it is more important today than it was 5 years ago.
- 90% consider it directly linked to their organization’s performance.
- 86% believe that companies whose employees do not have a command of English are at a competitive disadvantage.
AI amplifies the need for English; it does not replace it
The rise of AI has not reduced the need for English proficiency - it has reinforced it!
- 81% of HR directors confirm that the integration of AI tools increases the need for English proficiency, particularly when it comes to writing effective prompts, evaluating the reliability of AI-generated results, and using interfaces that are primarily in English.
- Six out of ten employers believe that none of the four English language skills (speaking, writing, reading, and listening) can be replaced by AI.
Standardized assessments: A driver of HR performance
Organizations that use certifications (such as the TOEIC® Test) achieve better results across all HR metrics:
- 17+ points in satisfaction with team effectiveness.
- 16+ points in productivity.
- 14+ points in retention.
Despite these results, 68% of companies admit they lack a reliable method for assessing English during recruitment, and 90% of HR directors report facing at least one obstacle to adopting assessment tools (time constraints, difficulty finding a reliable provider, etc.)
Toward widespread adoption of assessments?
The report predicts widespread adoption of assessment tools within the next five years.
- 84% of organizations plan to invest in English training and assessment.
- 55% plan to administer systematic tests for all new hires.
Finally, countries whose governments mandate a minimum level of English proficiency in secondary school show better performance, notably a 13-point reduction in the rate of erosion of customer trust.