The global workforce is now more connected than ever. Teams collaborate across borders, organizations serve customers worldwide, and digital tools have made international communication a daily reality.
In my work with institutions and employers around the world, I see a growing disconnect in English communication. It is essential to how people work, but many learners still lack accessible opportunities to practice speaking it. The next phase of language learning must close that gap by helping people move from understanding English to speaking it with confidence.
For many global professionals, meetings, presentations, negotiations and training are conducted in English. However, there is an important distinction between knowing English and feeling comfortable speaking it.
A learner may understand spoken English well or possess strong written communication skills but may hesitate when asked to respond verbally without preparation in the workplace. Speaking confidence develops through regular practice, yet learners do not have access to environments where they can consistently practice English in a comfortable, low-pressure setting.
Others balance demanding work schedules, academic commitments, and family responsibilities that make traditional language instruction difficult to sustain. Without frequent practice and feedback, learners struggle to understand what effective communication looks like or feel confident applying their skills in real-world situations.
This gap in confidence has serious implications as employers place greater value on practical communication skills.
The 2026 TOEIC Global English Skills Report found that 90% of employers say English proficiency is critical to organizational success, and 81% say the growing use of AI is increasing the need for strong English skills in the workplace.
To me, these findings point to a broader shift in both work and language learning. “English is becoming a foundational skill for the global, AI-enabled workforce. Rather than reducing the importance of human communication, AI is raising the standard by making clarity, judgment and the ability to express ideas even more important.
The future of language learning cannot focus only on measuring proficiency at one point in time. It must also give them ongoing opportunities to practice, receive meaningful feedback, and apply their skills in situations where communication matters most.
Connecting Practice and Access
Traditionally, language learners would study, take an assessment, receive a score, and then decide how to improve. Each stage was treated separately, but technology allows us to connect these stages more intentionally.
When practice is aligned with established standards, learners gain a clearer understanding of effective communication. Authentic speaking tasks give them opportunities to rehearse in a less intimidating environment, while immediate, actionable feedback helps them identify strengths and areas for improvement.
This approach can prepare learners for the assessment and real-world situations they will face beyond test day. Repeated practice can help them become more comfortable organizing their thoughts, responding spontaneously, and communicating clearly during workplace conversations, presentations, and meetings.
The goal is not limited to better test preparation. It is to help learners develop communication skills they can use confidently in the real world.
Thoughtfully designed AI-powered tools can help reduce barriers related to location, schedules, cost and access to instruction. They can give learners a private, flexible place to practice, use feedback, and improve at their own pace.
When built on trusted content, clear standards and assessment expertise, these tools can expand access to high-quality learning without compromising rigor.
TOEIC Pal is one example of what the future of language learning can look like in practice. Developed as part of the TOEIC program, which helps learners develop and demonstrate the English communication skills needed in today’s global workplace, the official TOEIC Speaking preparation app offers a flexible and personalized way to practice spoken English through authentic TOEIC Speaking questions, model answers, TOEIC-aligned scoring and AI-powered guidance.
Learners can practice in a less intimidating environment, better understand how spoken responses are structured and improved, and strengthen skills that extend beyond the assessment into real-world workplace settings.
Looking ahead, the strongest language-learning experiences will connect trusted assessment, personalized practice, and real-world application more closely than ever. Technology can make language learning more accessible and relevant, but its value will depend on whether it helps people communicate more confidently.
The future of language learning is not about using more technology. It is about using technology intentionally to give more people the opportunity to practice, improve, and take part confidently in an increasingly connected world.