New Research Reveals “Second-Language Anxiety” Is Causing Employees to Stay Silent, Miss Opportunities and Underperform at Work

Karine Allouche, General Manager at Busuu

“They’ve invested heavily in language learning and skills development, but what they really need is people who can perform in another language when the stakes are high.”

Karine Allouche, General Manager at Busuu

“We believe this will become increasingly important as AI changes the workplace. When organisations can use AI to handle execution, they’ll need people who excel in the things that AI can’t do – like reading the room, negotiating a sensitive deal and building relationships with clients.”

François Debois, Global Director for Learning Excellence and Innovation at L’Oréal

“In a global organisation like L’Oréal, success often depends on how effectively people communicate across languages and cultures. Whether it's an international client meeting, a virtual team discussion or a project presentation, employees need to be able to perform with confidence in real workplace moments.”

François Debois, Global Director for Learning Excellence and Innovation at L’Oréal

“What is particularly compelling about Busuu's approach is the focus on helping employees prepare for genuine business situations. By connecting learning directly to the conversations and challenges employees face every day, we will strengthen both engagement and business impact.”