Language Support for Mobility Programs

Relocating to a foreign country can already be a stress-inducing for many assignees, more so when the move is to a state with a different native language than that of the relocating employee. Let’s take a look at language support, and why it’s an excellent way to help assignees immerse themselves into the culture and daily life of their new home.

Assignees can easily find themselves in situations where they may need to use the local dialect, and not doing so could cause trouble

Availability of Language Support

There is no doubt that English is widely spoken throughout the world, even in countries where it is not the native language. However, assignees can easily find themselves in situations where they may need to use the local dialect, and not doing so could cause trouble or disrupt business.

The majority of companies offer some language support to employees being relocated

Thankfully, the majority of companies offer some language support to employees being relocated to help them in their new environment. This benefit also carries across to dependents in many situations, allowing the whole relocating family to benefit. Although most companies do not require assignees to take any type of language classes or lessons, this service is widely available and often set up on a per-request basis.

Many companies are resorting to electronic and online language education for their assignees

Types of Language Support

There are now a variety of teaching methods that can be employed for assignees and their families. Many companies provide support in a physical classroom, which can be with a personal tutor or with other professionals in a more traditional classroom situation. Increasingly, however, many companies are resorting to electronic and online language education for their assignees. Paid computer programs, software or services are frequently being used, as assignees have to option to learn in their own time from the comfort of their own home.

Language support can be a way for companies to ensure they are providing the best benefits and relocating the best assignees.

Participation Rate

Having a language support option can be a great plus for employees, but, interestingly enough, not all employees take advantage of this benefit; participation rates can be very low for assignees, and even lower for their dependents. Long-term assignees take advantage of the service more than short-term assignees, and anticipating this can help organisations determine the number of hours they are willing to budget for an employee and their family.

Language support is beneficial for both the company and the employee. With great flexibility and readily available technology, the language support option can be a way for companies to ensure they are providing the best benefits and relocating the best assignees.