Employee mobility, visitor influx and international opportunities have led businesses to adopt and promote multilingualism in the workplace.

Dubai, UAE – 30th August, 2016 – According to J. Angouri (The Multilingual Reality of the Multinational Workplace, 2013), the increase in mobility across the globe has highlighted the importance of language diversity among professionals. A 2015 report by Mercer, concluded that around 85% of companies globally have international assignment policies; therefore placing their employees in branches throughout the world.

With an increase of international employees, linguistic practices have also evolved in the workplace. Employees are becoming more flexible with their language abilities and use accessible, easy-to-use tools to improve their skills. In the U.A.E, with over 84% of the population being expatriates, the Arabic language is in popular demand, remaining an important skill to have when conducting business in the Middle East. In order to promote Arabic in the country, the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector of Dubai’s Department of Economic Development has launched an initiative that would see Arabic as a main language across all commercial establishments by 2017 (Gulf News, 2016). To comply with this, organizations will be required to guarantee Arabic language proficiency among their employees.

Additionally, Expo 2020 will bring many opportunities for local and regional organizations to connect and strengthen ties globally. With over 25 million people expected to visit the UAE during Expo 2020, knowledge of English – the world’s most widely spoken language – will ensure effective communication with international visitors.

Eton Institute continues to lead the market in customized communication solutions for the local community from Law Enforcement English for Dubai’s Security Services and Police force, to Hospitality English for Dubai Parks and Resorts, the largest integrated theme park destination in the region, set to open in October 2016, commented Mark Abi-Aad, Corporate Manager at Eton Institute.

We continue to connect organizations and the thriving expatriate community to opportunity through accredited language training, including Arabic programs and Hospitality Sign Language solutions for hotels welcoming people from all over the world to the Emirates, he added.

For more information about Eton Institute’s customized language programs and special offers, visit middleeast.etoninstitute.com/for-companies or call 800 ETON (3866).