Press Release

Talking sense - language skills report published today

12 December 2005

Talking sense: A research study of language skills management in major companies, published today, shows that while UK businesses believe they are as prepared as their European counterparts to meet the challenge of international communication, they lack language awareness, language-management strategies and the ability to respond to international clients and suppliers.

The report also highlights good practice existing in the following UK-based multinationals:

• AstraZeneca
• The BMW Group
• Deutsche Bank
• Eversheds
• Gazeley Properties (a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart)
• GlaxoSmithKline

These six case studies were drawn together, cross-referenced to the findings of the telephone survey and used as the basis for a series of recommendations that could improve companies' access to language skills and support both the enhancement of business competitiveness in the UK and the future employability of individuals from the UK.

Executive summary - http://www.cilt.org.uk/key/takingsense_executivesummary.pdf

Full report - http://www.cilt.org.uk/key/takingsense_report.pdf

Press release - http://www.cilt.org.uk/news/pressrelease/2005/PR0522TS0712N.pdf