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Employee Development

How to Set Up a Language Learning Culture That Lasts 

Anika Wegner
Published: 14th October 2023
Updated: 21st November 2024
Lächelnde Geschäftsfrau in einem Meeting.

Are you thinking about introducing language learning in your company or have already introduced corporate language courses in your company? Are you unsure how to establish new habits among your employees to ensure they make the most of it? We explore the ways you can create a long-lasting and sustainable language learning culture. 

Table of Contents

Why Is a Language Learning Culture Important?

Language learning in the workplace is about more than writing an occasional email in a different language. It’s a way for individuals to develop professionally, gain confidence, improve customer relations, and expand client portfolios overseas.

When you first introduce Babbel to your employees, it’s important they understand exactly how beneficial language learning will be to their professional lives. That’s why cultivating a language learning culture from the beginning is integral to ensure long-lasting, impactful habits that will see your employees taking full advantage of their new corporate benefit. With your support and our guidance, your team will soon be chatting confidently in a new language, and when an international business opportunity comes up, you’ll have the resources to tackle it.

Young business people are having lunch while working.

The Best Tool for Language Learning

The effectiveness of the Babbel app for personal language learning has already been proven by numerous studies. Also, a research team at the University of Massachusetts in Boston has taken a closer look at our language learning app in a professional setting. Over a ten-week period, they investigated how our language learning app and corporate Spanish classes impacted the professional development of employees at Sodexo, one of the world’s largest food service companies. The Sodexo branches in the United States that took part in the study had experienced a language barrier between Spanish and English speaking employees as well as difficulties in communicating with customers.

The study also looked at the ways in which Sodexo’s managers were able to identify the areas where new learners might struggle. In doing so, they were able to address them head-on and cultivate a successful language learning culture that meant the individuals and the company reaped the benefits of Babbel’s offering.

💡 Tip from Babbel
You can learn more about how to find the best language course for your business in this article.

The Four Steps to Forming Language Learning Habits

Creating a language learning culture isn’t as complex as it sounds—it’s simply a question of consistency, creativity, and alignment. Here are four easy-to-follow steps learning managers can use to identify and address any learning challenges:

  • Step 1: Create a framework and define roles
    Learn how to use processes to create convenient practice times and build an infrastructure that supports and nurtures learning.
  • Step 2: Set goals and promote learning together
    This section covers how to successfully introduce Babbel to your team, as well as identify behavioral and learning goals to keep your employees motivated.
  • Step 3: Make learning progress tangible
    This chapter identifies how to keep learners engaged in the long term, including tips and tricks on applying their new language skills to their professional role.
  • Step 4: Making learning a habit
    Arguably the most crucial step, we look at how management can lead by example to cultivate a language learning culture that both supports and encourages the development of your team.
💡 Tip from Babbel
Find out how you can optimize your employees’ language learning with these five learning incentives.

Creating a Language Learning Culture

With the proper resources and guidance, you’ll learn how to introduce Babbel to your company, creating ideal learning conditions and keeping motivation at a consistent level long-term. These learning routines and habits encourage the personal development of your employees and expand the horizons of your entire enterprise.

Ready to introduce a language learning solution with your team? Visit our website to schedule a demo or learn more about Babbel for Business.

Picture of Anika Wegner

Anika Wegner

SEO Content & Blog Manager — Exploring other cultures through language is particularly important to her. That's why she loves writing for Babbel about topics, how companies can benefit from language-learning solutions.

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