Now I want to be clear, if you are an employer, you should be investing in ALL of your staff.
However, with Canada’s 2022- 2024 Immigration Plan to welcome 431, 645 permanent residents in 2022 and then:
- 447, 055 in 2023
- 451, 000 in 2024
It’s something Canadian employers need to start thinking more about. As our ESL population increases, so does ESL in the workplace.
Who Are ESL Employees?
ESL stands for English as a second language (some use EAL- English as an Additional Language). ESL employees are people with whom English is not their first language.
For most pathways into Canada there are Canadian Language Benchmark levels required. Applicants must write specific tests (IELTS, CELPIP) in order to prove they have the language skills to work successfully in Canada.
While this does help to ensure people moving here have some of the language skills required, no test is 100% accurate. Plus, as it is with all countries, a language test does not asses “true” understanding of a language. It doesn’t assess all of the cultural idioms, phrases and vocabulary that only Canada has.
“A low level of English can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding, which then results in lack of employee confidence, motivation and increased risk of error.”
Knopp, L. “The Benefits of improving Staff English Communication Skills.” www.linkedin.com. 24 May 2021
The Benefits of Investing in ESL Employees Through Language Classes
- You have staff that already know each other.
- Having a connection prior helps learning in the classroom as relationships are already built. Plus staff are more likely to help each other outside of class as well.
- It can be catered to your workplace skills and tasks.
- Is there certain content/training that you have been wanting to teach your staff? Specific vocabulary that you need them to know? It can be incorporated into language classes.
- Staff feel more appreciated and invested in the company.
- When you put in the effort, they put in the effort. Plain and simple.
- Gives them more free time outside of work to improve other skills.
- If they are receiving language classes from work, it frees up their time to improve in other workplace skills (university, college, etc.)
- Increase in productivity.
- When understanding improves, mistakes decrease.
- Better Customer Service.
- When language improves, how customers are dealt with also improves.
What About the Cost?
What’s nice about hiring your own language instructor is that you can cater what you want to fit the budget you have. You aren’t dependent on general local language classes.
Some other ideas to make it more affordable
- Government Funding
- There are many programs out there that businesses can apply to for various forms of funding. Start looking to see if you qualify!
- Join with other local businesses
- Is there a similar business nearby that also has ESL employees? Work together and split the cost!
Businesses are struggling to find staff. There are many people looking for work, and the only thing holding them back is language. So the bigger question is…
Can you afford not to?
