Companies large and small are increasingly open to the benefits of “going remote”, or hiring individuals around the world who connect via video conferencing, email, and cloud sharing services. Offering remote opportunities can help find and retain the top talent—so why not leverage it to train top talent as well?

Why do companies go remote?

Better logistics: Employees forego the daily commute for more flexible hours. The emphasis on work-life balance often leads to happier, more productive employees.

Cost-efficiency: Employers save on overhead costs—like an office space—and employees save on commuting costs, professional attire, and even the cost of eating out more often.

Access to (and retention of) global talent: The hiring pool is limitless, so if the perfect candidate is two-thousand miles away, there’s no problem. If the star employee needs to move across the country to care for an aging parent, there’s no disruption in their work.

Why is remote a viable option for language training?

Learning remotely makes sense for the same reasons as working remotely.

Logistics: You may need a language for career success or advancement, but that doesn’t mean you can put your job on hold while you learn. Removing time and space restrictions means busy professionals can train as their schedule allows.

Cost: With no brick-and-mortar classroom, online language training saves on overhead costs as well, allowing providers to offer more affordable solutions. This doesn’t even factor in the money saved keeping employees in place while they train—little/no disruption to their work, no travel costs, and no per diem.

Access: Companies are not limited by what’s offered at the local library, community college, or language center. Employers can find a program that offers the necessary language(s), proficiency level, course length, etc.