English
Log in
(0)

Case study

LG Group

TOEIC Speaking Test Helps LG Group Track Learning Progress

LG Group recognises the importance of English-language communication in the global workplace and adopted English as its official language in 2005. LG generates 80% of its sales from overseas, and more than 50,000 out of 87,000 staff members are foreign-born. Because of this, employees must be able to communicate effeciently in English.

Because of this English requirement, LG began using the TOEIC Speaking test to measure the English proficiency of its employees, and to make informed training and promotion decisions. The LG Group has set TOEIC score standards to track learning progress in English-language training courses given by LG Academy, LG Group’s business training institute, and to determine employee readiness for promotion.

LG Group trusts the TOEIC tests since its created by industry-leader ETS and is administered by YBM, TOEIC’s country master distributor in Korea for more than 20 years.

Company Snapshot: LG Group

LG Group is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home applicances. LG is comprised of five business units and is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators.

Quick Facts

  • Key Categories: electronics, chemicals, telecommunications, engineering, information technology
  • Corporate Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
  • Countries Operated In: 113
  • Number of Employees: 87,000
  • Net Sales (2013): $53.1 billion

Source: LG Website

Challenge

The LG Group recognises the importance of English-language communication in the global workplace and adopted English as its official language in 2005. The goal of this action was to ensure that its employees had the English-language skills they needed to succeed.

English-language communication is essential for LG Group employees, especially at LG Electronics, the largest company within the LG Group. LG Electronics generates 80 percent of its sales from overseas, and more than 50,000 out of 87,000 staff members are foreign-born. National employees, as well as those who work abroad, must communicate in English. In addition, the LG Group corporate intranet is now in English and all business reports and presentations are written or spoken in English. With this fundamental change to make English the official language of the company, LG Group must ensure that all its employees have the proper English training.

Solution

LG Group began using the TOEIC Speaking test to measure the English proficiency of its employees and to make informed training and promotion decisions. The LG Group has set TOEIC score standards to track learning progress in English-language training courses given by LG Academy, LG Group’s business training institute, and to determine employee readiness for promotion.

Result

According to Gary S.H. Kim, Deputy General Manager, “the test has earned a very high credibility.” The LG Group trusts TOEIC scores because ETS, a respected industry leader in English-language assessment for more than 60 years, developed the test and YBM, TOEIC’s Country Master Distributor in Korea for more than 20 years, administers the test.