English at Work: global analysis of language skills in the workplace

English at Work:

global analysis of language

skills in the workplace

September 2016

In collaboration with

Executive summary

Cambridge English and QS present a global, cross-industry overview of English language

skills at work. The findings are based on data from 5,373 employers in 38 countries that

completed the annual QS Global Employer Survey, as well as insights from industry

experts at Cambridge English.

Findings based on responses from employers who felt that English is important.

The most important English language skills

Employers say it is important to have proficiency in

all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and

listening). However, the most important language skill

is reading (in 11 industries), followed by speaking

(in nine industries).

Reading in English is essential for maintaining

professional knowledge, as it is the language most

often used in international journals, contracts and

instructions. Speaking tends to be the most important

skill in service industries such as Travel, Leisure and

Hospitality, where social interaction is a big part

of the job.

Employers’ English language requirements

There is a wide range of English requirements in

countries where English is not a native or official

language, with 7% of job tasks requiring native-level

English, 49% requiring advanced English, 33% requiring

intermediate English and 8% requiring basic English.*

The highest English language requirements are in

business sectors, such as Banking, Finance and Law,

where business publications tend to use complex

and technical English. Language requirements are

lower in Travel, Leisure, Hospitality, Transportation,

Distribution and Utilities, possibly because customer-

facing roles tend to use more everyday English,

and issues in understanding can be resolved with

relatively simple English.

How important are English language skills?

English is immensely important wherever you are in the

world. In countries where English is not a native or official

language, over two thirds of employers say that English is

important for their business.

English is the language of international business,

so increasingly it is just as important for businesses

in native and non-native English-speaking countries.

The survey shows that English language skills are

important for over 95% of employers in many

non-native English-speaking countries.

‘

The English language requirements of our staff

can only increase in the next 10 years, because

our business will depend more and more on

global business.’

Natsuki Segawa, Manager, Aerospace Systems, ITOCHU Corporation, Japan

‘

* The remaining respondents answered ‘Don’t know’ or ‘Not applicable’.

How many employers have an English language skills gap?

In every industry, there is a gap between the English

language skills required and the skills that are actually

available. Interestingly, there is little difference between

large, medium-sized and small employers. Across all

company sizes there is at least a 40% skills gap.

The biggest skills gaps are found in:

• Internal-facing roles, such as HR and Personnel,

Accounting and Finance, Production and Logistics.

External-facing roles, such as Marketing, Sales, and

Customer Services, tend to have smaller skills gaps.

• Non-native English-speaking countries, where some of

the highest skills gaps are in China, Japan, Russia and

South Korea.

The lowest skills gaps are in middle and top management,

where there is a 25% skills gap.

Countries that have historically traded with

non-English-speaking countries often have the

highest English skills gaps. The gap is smaller in

countries where English is an official language

(e.g. Singapore and India).

Benefits for employees

Approximately half of all employers offer a better starting

package to applicants with good English language skills.

Good English skills can also lead to faster progression

through job grades (50% of employers) and higher

salary increases (46% of employers).

Better packages are most common in non-native

English-speaking countries, such as Brazil, China and

Chile. These countries also reported having some of

the biggest English skills gaps.

Evaluating English language skills during recruitment

98.5% of employers have at least one method of

assessing English language competency. The most

common method is to interview applicants in English.

In addition, over a quarter of employers use an

externally created English language test.

The use of external, expert-created English language

tests indicates how important English language skills

are to employers and the need to assess language

skills in a thorough and reliable way.

Across all company sizes there is at

least a 40% skills gap.

40%

98.5%

When recruiting, 98.5% of employers

have at least one method of assessing

English language competency.

English at Work: global analysis of language skills in the workplace has been compiled by

Cambridge English in collaboration with QS. Findings from a series of questions included

in the annual QS Global Employer Survey inform the first global, cross-industry overview

of English language skills at work.

Cambridge English Language Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge.

We develop and produce the most valuable range of qualifications for learners and

teachers of English in the world. Over 5 million people in 130 countries take our exams

every year. Around the world over 20,000 universities, employers, government ministries

and other organisations rely on our exams and qualifications as proof of English language

ability. Cambridge English exams are backed by the work of the largest dedicated

research team of any English language test provider.

Cambridge English Language Assessment – a not-for-profit organisation.

www.cambridgeenglish.org

QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) was founded in 1990 and has established itself as the

leading global provider of specialist higher education and careers information and

solutions. Its activities span across 50 countries, including working with over

12,000 employers.

www.qs.com

Visit our interactive English at Work website to discover

more and download the full report, with detailed analysis

for each industry and country, at: