For German companies, apprenticeships are the backbone of talent development. They give companies a way to grow talent internally, and to invest in the future of their company’s growth on a person-to-person basis. According to the latest report from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), there are 1,288,962 apprentices in Germany. And that number is only growing. Today, dual-study apprenticeship programs are becoming more popular. They currently account for 5% German higher education enrollment.
At the same time, international collaboration is becoming the norm, and more German businesses are growing in the global economy. Business English skills are becoming more and more important. Here’s why investing in business English for your apprentices pays off for your business, your teams, and your future.
Table of Contents
- Business English gives apprentices a competitive advantage
- What are some examples of useful business English phrases?
- Best way for apprentices to learn business English
Is your German company ready to seize new markets with business English?
Read about how Babbel for Business’s industry-tailored business English classes can benefit your apprentices, the rest of your staff, and your bottom line.
Business English gives apprentices a competitive advantage
Apprenticeships teach hard, industry-specific skills. But when apprentices learn business English as a part of their work responsibilities and business dealings, teams span borders. It’s no secret that English proficiency is a clear differentiator. There are several reasons to invest in Business English learning for your apprentices, so long as you have the right tools to do so.
Better communication with international colleagues and clients
Germany boasts Europe’s largest economy, with 79 companies making it onto this year’s Fortune 500 Europe list. A growing number of German companies have international reach, or at least interact with English speakers on a regular basis. This is especially true as more international companies start using English as their official business language. German apprentices who learn basic business English not only can access a wider range of resources and knowledge for themselves, but they can also take on responsibility in cross-border projects sooner. That means companies see greater value from bilingual apprentices.
Builds personal and business growth
German apprentices who learn business English not only become more valuable, adaptable, and promotable, but after their apprenticeship ends, they will likely also benefit from a higher wage in general. According to Labour Economics, German employees who had viable English language skills also saw a 13% wage increase on average. Additionally, businesses see a 22% increase in overall company efficiency when working with bilingual employees. Why? It’s simple: when your employees can better understand each other, everything runs more smoothly. The same can be said for business growth. If more of your employees can communicate with a greater client base thanks to proficiency in business English, it stands to reason that your business will have more opportunities to grow into that new market. Starting to build business English competency in your apprentices will allow your business to grow in the long run.
Allows for better team connection
Not only does empowering your apprentices with basic business English skills help improve communication and grow your business, it also allows them to make more meaningful connections within the company as well. Being able to speak business English might be especially useful to a higher-up in the company, who might need help talking with international clients. Or the shared experience of being able to speak business English could create a bond between apprentices and existing staff. Most excitingly, if your apprentices learn business English alongside your existing staff, using a language learning service like Babbel for Business, for example, all of your employees are more likely to experience higher loyalty. A study from Deloitte shows that staff loyalty and engagement rates in organizations with a strong learning culture are 30 to 50% higher than their competitors.
What are some examples of useful business English phrases?
| Use case: | Examples of useful Business English phrases: |
| Meetings | “Let’s schedule a follow-up meeting.” “Do you need any support with this task?” |
| Emails and team communication | “Please find the attached document.” “Could you provide more details?” |
| Project work and collaboration | “Can we discuss this offline?” “What’s the deadline for this task?” |
| Problem solving and feedback | “I will consult with my supervisor about this matter.” “What do you suggest as the next step?” |
| Call etiquette | “Sorry, could you repeat that?” “Let me check and get back to you.” |
| Customer service | “Could you please provide your order number?” “Let me check that information for you.” |
| Banking and finances | “Which bank account are you referring to?” “Your transaction has been processed.” |
| Legal | “Can you clarify the terms and conditions?” “Are there any updates from the opposing counsel?” |
| Healthcare | “Please describe your symptoms.” “The doctor will see you shortly.” |
| Supply chain and logistics | “The shipment is scheduled for tomorrow.” “Could you update me on the production status?” |
| Manufacturing | “Is this part ready for quality control?” “We need to follow the safety procedures.” |
Best way for apprentices to learn business English
With Babbel for Business, your apprentices (and your full-time staff) can learn functional business English quickly, effectively, and as part of their work for your company. Business English classes offered through Babbel for Business can be tailored to specific industries, like healthcare, supply chain, customer service, manufacturing, and more, so that your employees and apprentices learn exactly what they’ll need to get ahead at your company.
Babbel for Business leverages a science-backed approach to language learning called Blended Learning, which combines 24/7 access to our language learning app with live courses, immersive materials like podcasts, and even Babble Speak, our AI conversation partner to make practicing easy.
Apprentices can learn on their own time, and you’ll still have visibility into their progress thanks to Control Panel, our tracking feature which allows you to monitor learners’ progress. What’s more, Babbel for Business customers are also supported by our incredible Learner Success team, which helps your administrators develop an implementation plan for learning—and keep apprentices interested in learning throughout the coursework.
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