In today’s global manufacturing landscape, effective communication is more than a soft skill. It’s a business necessity. As production lines stretch across continents and teams become increasingly diverse, the ability to communicate in a common language, especially English, has become a key driver of safety, efficiency, and growth in the manufacturing sector.
For non-English-speaking employees and companies alike, investing in teaching your team English for manufacturing is about more than simply bridging a communication gap. When your employees know manufacturing English for non-English speakers, that knowledge can unlock new opportunities and help your business stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of learning English for manufacturing, the specific ways that learning English can spark business growth, and why Babbel for Business is the best partner for your team’s language learning journey.
Table of Contents
- Ways learning English for manufacturing can help spark growth
- Other benefits of learning English for manufacturing
- Why Babbel for Business classes are the best way to learn English for manufacturing
Improve Internal Communication to Reduce Language Barriers
Lead your multilingual team to success with better internal communication strategies and discover how Babbel for Business can improve language barriers across your organization with English for manufacturing courses.
Ways learning English for manufacturing can help spark growth
It’s no secret that teams who understand each other are more efficient, face less risks on the assembly line, and function better overall than those who have to tackle language barriers on the job.
While China is the global leader in manufacturing, accounting for 20% of the world’s global manufacturing output, English-speaking countries are major players in the field, with the United States being the second highest-earning country in the field (18%), earning $1.87 trillion. The United Kingdom also falls in the top ten global manufacturing powerhouses, generating 2%, or $244 billion.
Enables expansion into new markets
To compete globally, manufacturers must communicate with partners, suppliers, and customers from different countries. According to reporting from the British Broadcasting Company, English is becoming the go-to language for international business. Understanding business English is the common ground that makes international business possible. According to a report by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 22% of manufacturing companies report that they couldn’t pursue business (or even lost possible business) due to language barriers. It’s clear that teams with strong English skills can negotiate deals, manage overseas projects, and expand into new markets with confidence.
Similarly, having a working knowledge of manufacturing English for non-English speakers can level up your team’s ability to communicate with clients, partners, and vendors regarding shipment timelines, order specifics, and supply chain updates, all of which sets your company apart from the competition.
Saves your business money and time
Language barriers often lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and rework, all of which cost time and money. By investing in English training, you reduce these risks, streamline processes, and increase your bottom line.
A study by Forrester showed that 75% of manufacturing delays can be attributed to employees’ inability to communicate with their supervisors. As the old saying goes, time is money in business, and manufacturing is certainly no exception. By eliminating these language barriers, you help your team save substantial time and money.
Builds your employees’ growth opportunities
Being able to communicate effectively is a necessary skill for career advancement, especially in such a technically complex field as global manufacturing. Having a working understanding of manufacturing English for non-English speakers is core to growing in the workplace. Nine out of 10 employers heavily rely on employees that speak a language other than English. It stands to reason that with some crucial English for manufacturing knowledge on their side, non-English speakers could become some of the most valuable employees at their organization.
Employees who learn English gain the confidence to take on new responsibilities, participate in training, and pursue leadership roles. When employees feel fulfilled, your business retains top talent while developing future leaders.
Other benefits of learning English for manufacturing
It’s clear that having a working knowledge of English for manufacturing can help companies tap into this huge market share, but what does this knowledge mean day-to-day on the job?
Helps prevent safety risks on the worksite
Miscommunication on the shop floor can lead to costly and dangerous mistakes. When everyone on your team understands safety instructions, signage, and emergency protocols in English, you dramatically reduce the risk of accidents. Understanding basic English for manufacturing helps your team avoid unnecessary safety risks.
According to the National Safety Council, the annual cost of work injuries in the United States totals close to $177 billion. No employer wants their employees getting hurt, but that’s also a lot of money left on the table every year. Consistent English communication ensures that safety standards are met and that all workers can respond quickly in case of an emergency.
Builds efficiency and productivity between teams
When language barriers are removed, teams collaborate more smoothly. Instructions are clearer, troubleshooting is faster, and errors are fewer. English proficiency allows workers to coordinate seamlessly, solve problems quickly, and keep production lines running efficiently.
According to a report conducted by McKinsey, connected employees are 20-25% more productive. It’s no surprise that the ability to communicate plays a big role in how connected a given team is. If you can understand your co-workers, working collaboratively goes a lot more smoothly than if you cannot.
Allows for greater adaptability and flexibility
Manufacturing environments are always evolving, with new technologies, regulations, and customer demands. Teams that speak English can more easily learn new procedures, operate advanced machinery, and adapt to changes, making your workforce more flexible and resilient.
Not only that, but when your team is communicating seamlessly, adjusting on the fly becomes less risky, less confusing, and more possible. Given the volatile state of today’s supply chain industry, manufacturing teams that are able to move quickly to adapt to new information have a definite advantage over competitors.
Why Babbel for Business classes are the best way to learn English for manufacturing
Choosing the right language learning solution is critical for results. Babbel for Business stands out because it’s designed for real-world workplace needs.
Industry-specific lessons highlight manufacturing language
Generic language courses aren’t enough. Babbel for Business offers quick, engaging classes that teach industry-specific English for manufacturing, which means your team can easily work around busy schedules to prioritize language learning.
Our classes were specifically built by linguistics experts to cover essential vocabulary, safety protocols, and everyday scenarios encountered on the job. Our Blended Learning approach allows your employees to learn in the style that best suits them, on their own schedule. That means your team gets the information they need, quickly, so that your manufacturing operations don’t have to skip a beat.
Ready to see our solutions in action?
Schedule your personalized demo today and discover how we can elevate your team’s learning experience!
