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The corporate language training market is highly competitive these days, which is all the more reason to prioritize measurable business outcomes. As the marketplace becomes more challenging, focusing on clear, quantifiable results is essential for success. Training providers need to demonstrate their value and support their clients’ goals. Is this happening? According to the new 2025 EF Corporate Learning Maturity Report, this is not actually the case. In fact, only 14% of companies run what they call “high maturity” language programs (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 6). By high maturity, they are referring to programs that are fully integrated into a client’s business strategy. In other words, programs that have clear links to job roles and are measured against key business outcomes such as employee performance objectives, market expansion, and revenue growth.

The EF report makes it very clear that companies investing in high-maturity language programs will see significant business benefits compared to those with lower-maturity programs, which only focus on language proficiency. Here’s what the data in the report shows:

  • Higher profitability: businesses with high-maturity language programs report a 7% year-over-year profit increase, compared to just 1% for low-maturity programs (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 5).
  • Market expansion: 85% of high-maturity businesses expanded into at least two new markets in the past two years, compared to only 39% of low-maturity businesses (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 5).
  • Stronger employee engagement: 73% of high-maturity businesses report very high employee engagement, compared to just 39% in low-maturity programs (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 5).
  • Better workforce retention: companies that integrate language training into their company culture are significantly more likely to retain talent and build long-term employee engagement (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 14).

So, how do we measure the true success of a language training program? Below are the five key metrics that can show whether a program is delivering real value.

  • Learner Engagement & Completion Rates
    Metric: percentage of employees who finish the course.
    Why It Matters: a high completion rate suggests learners are engaged and see value in the training.
  • Learner Satisfaction
    Metric: feedback from post-course surveys.
    Why It Matters: if employees rate the program highly, it means the training is relevant, engaging, and effective.
  • Skill Improvement & Competency Gains
    Metric: pre- and post-course assessments to track language proficiency improvement.
    Why It Matters: if employees don’t improve, the program isn’t working.
  • Business ROI & Revenue Growth
    Metric: business performance indicators such as revenue growth, client retention, and expansion into new markets.
    Why It Matters: companies with high-maturity language programs report 7% higher year-over-year profit growth and 85% expansion into at least two new markets over two years. (EF Corporate Learning, 2025, p. 5).
  • Workplace Impact
    Metric: employee self-reports and manager feedback on how language skills help with job performance.
    Why It Matters: a successful course should lead to better communication, fewer misunderstandings, and improved collaboration.


To track these metrics effectively, a language school should plan the measurement process right from the start. Here are some typical steps:

  • Use an Online Learning System: an LMS (Learning Management System) can track progress, attendance, and course completion.
  • Conduct Pre- and Post-Course Tests: these tests can show changes in language skills over the course of the program.
  • Gather Feedback: surveys taken after the course help gather both numbers and personal opinions on how the course worked.
  • Collect Manager and HR Feedback: regular input from supervisors and HR teams can reveal how well employees apply their new skills at work.
  • Analyze Business Data: work with client companies to compare key business figures before and after the training.

What impact does this have on sales?
When discussing language training with potential clients, it is helpful to focus on the business benefits. This includes showing how language courses can improve employee communication and efficiency, which in turn fuels business growth. Using robust ROI data and evidence of increased productivity makes a strong case for language training.

Measuring success in a corporate language course means looking at both the learning process and the business impact. By planning for measurement from the start, language schools can show clear benefits and value. This method not only supports better course design but also makes it easier to build lasting partnerships with corporate clients. In the end, precise and straightforward metrics help everyone see the true worth of language training.

EF Corporate Learning. The EF Corporate Learning Maturity Report: The Impact of Corporate Language Training on Business Profitability. 2025 Edition. Zürich: EF Corporate Learning, 2025.

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

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