The diversity of languages in German companies continues to grow. The continuously easing access to the German labor market has led to a drastic increase in the proportion of foreign-language specialists and managers. Another aspect is the fact that during the Corona pandemic, a strong online communication has developed. The resulting opportunities for collaboration in location-independent teams, the increase in the diversity of existing team structures, and the expansion of possible business relationships are not only becoming significantly more important, but are essential for a sustainably good market position and strengthening of the employer brand.

Companies are encouraged to prepare their employees for multilingualism. Obligatory language courses, language days in the office, as well as arranging meetings and following specialist presentations in a foreign language are advisable as supportive activities. An efficient and attractive option is to implement multilingual qualification and development measures for employees.

The tours and workshops of YOUTH GLOBE GmbH can be conducted in numerous languages – the materials are provided in German as well as in the foreign language. The advantages are obvious: the foreign language is practiced and at the same time employees can be included whose knowledge of German would otherwise be insufficient for participation.

The structure of the seminars, which ensure holistic personal development with a particular focus on qualifying development characteristics in everyday professional life, effectively supports familiarization with meetings in a foreign language. Participants gain confidence, fears are reduced and subject-specific vocabulary is learned. Since dealing with a language is always connected with culture and history, individual experiences are created that reinforce language identification. In the process, corporate values are conveyed, employee motivation is increased, and performance-enhancing potential is released through effective team building.

As expected, trainees, students and young employees participating in the “100 Champions” educational initiative appreciate the integration of foreign languages as a valuable additional effect of the tours. Management is often very surprised when even the “older” participants opt for a tour in English.

HR managers should become more open-minded – their employees already have. And don't forget – the language skills acquired are also useful in private and are appreciated accordingly.