English and the Future of Work

In an era of unprecedented global connectivity–coupled with disruptions to trade, international student flows, worker migration, and the advent of AI in the workplace–you might think that the need to use the English language is in decline.  And you would be wrong.  Around the world, corporations, start-ups, students and working professionals are viewing English proficiency as not only a soft skill, but a fundamental operating system for their success. Yet, while the need for high-level English has never been greater, significant gaps and challenges persist in many countries, demanding reliable solutions and accurate assessment.

English at Work

To understand this further, let’s consider a few facts on English use in the global workforce:

• English is a Global Majority:Approximately1.5 billion peopleworldwide speak English, with the vast majority being non-native speakers, according to a widely cited British Council study in 2023 (a collective summary of other short survey data can be foundhere). This massive cohort is the pool from which global businesses draw talent and partners, and can build a global presence.
• Advantageous in Business:Employees with strong business English skills are significantly more likely to progress faster through job roles and receive salary increases.  Moreover, the vast majority of global employers—up to98.5% of employers in 38 countries(from an older Cambridge/QS study, but affirmed by subsequent surveys)—actively assess candidates’ English competency during the hiring process.  No matter the survey percentage, it’s clear from what we are seeing on the ground that English demand is robust.
• Digital and Corporate Dominance:Traditionally, many of the world’s largest companies, including giants like Samsung and Airbus, have officially adopted English as theiruniversal corporate languageto coordinate operations, and customer support, across diverse global footprints.  Additionally, start-ups in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, which generate a substantial amount of new employment among recent graduates, often emphasize English skills as a way to scale—including the adoption of AI models and their use in the workplace, which increasingly necessitates use of English.