The continuous evolution of consumer needs, technology and employee mobility requires organizations to keep up with the latest employee skills in order to achieve productive communication and optimal operation. When learning a new language, an employee’s retention is important to achieve success, productivity and training ROI.

Here are 6 unique methods that will help you ensure successful retention of your team’s language skills post training:

1. Provide a Refresher Course

Engage your team in a refresher language course to brush up their language skill and help them recall and practice content learnt previously. Ideally, these should be provided periodically (every 6 or 12 months) for continuous skill enhancement. Take refresher courses as an opportunity to tackle areas that require improvement. Inform the language instructor on which aspects the team would need to work on, while refreshing general language skills.

Learning a language is similar to learning how to ride a bike; you never quite forget it! Hence, a refresher course is the perfect way to help your employees get back on that two-wheeler and remember what cannot be forgotten.

2. Encourage Microlearning

Microlearning comprises of short learning experiences created to meet a greater target. Also known as ‘bite-sized’ learning, microlearning is delivered through text and video format, along with games, quizzes, discussions, etc.

Provide your teams with access to microlearning tools that allow them to practice and continue learning long after the completion of the course. According to Software Advice, microlearning generates 50% more engagement than other learning tools. And that’s just one of the reasons to learn through short but effective bursts of knowledge.

3. Identify Learning Gaps

While one learner may be struggling with grammar, another could be overwhelmed by the intense vocabulary of a language. Help your teams identify and eradicate gaps in their knowledge and application of the language by making learning tools and content easily accessible through e-learning or refresher courses.

Identification of these knowledge gaps will enable the learner (as well as you, the employer/manager) deal with them at an early stage and avoid communication breakdowns when applying the foreign language fluency with a current or potential partners and clients in the future.

4. Deliver Continuous Coaching

Support the constant learning of your teams, get their feedback and listen to their needs. Then act according to the requirements and priorities of the business.

As important as coaching is to deliver effective leadership, continuous coaching also entails informal and unplanned feedback, positive or negative, in order to ensure non-stop growth of the learner. Therefore, don’t hesitate to have a casual conversation with your team about their achievements or areas of improvement.

5. Use Games as a Training Strategy

Whether its role play or online team quizzes, games are fun, and they allow the learners to learn by doing, which in turn supports long-term retention. The competition generates motivation among teams and drives them to perform better. Lead your employees to correct their language skills instantly and retain the information for a longer period through the existence of an immediate and close connection between action and response that comes with playing games.

Games are also an extremely budget-friendly option to provide professional training while ensuring that learners remain engaged. Your teams can practice their language skills through various games and also use multiple e-learning tools to do the same.

6. Track Performance in Annual Performance Review

You can use your team’s Annual Performance Review as an opportunity to track their language learning progress, obtain training feedback and work together to establish areas for improvement. Set measurable learning & development targets for them and include their knowledge goals in every appraisal meeting. A consistent following will make them feel supported and motivated.

Performance tracking will also help you identify employees that have excelled in their language proficiency, and reward them with positive reinforcement through feedback and a favorable appraisal. Recognize the ‘top achievers’ and encourage the others to follow suit.

Help your team maximize productivity and increase profitability! Start their language learning journey now.