RIYADH: Arabic remains a cornerstone of business communication in the Middle East, even as the demand for English proficiency surges, according to an industry expert. Anil Singh, chief business officer for Saudi Arabia at TASC Outsourcing, made these remarks following a study revealing that 90% of human resources decision-makers across 17 countries consider English-language proficiency critical to organizational success.
Study Highlights Growing Importance of English
The ETS TOEIC Global English Skills Report, which included respondents from Saudi Arabia, found that 92% believe English proficiency among employees is more important now than five years ago. Singh noted that organizations are becoming increasingly global, digitally connected, and cross-functional, placing greater emphasis on communication skills as teams work across multiple markets, cultures, and time zones.
However, Singh emphasized that this trend does not diminish the importance of Arabic. “Arabic remains fundamental to the region’s identity, business culture, and customer engagement,” he said. “What we are seeing instead is a growing expectation for bilingual or multilingual capability, where professionals can operate confidently in both Arabic and English depending on the business context.”
AI Amplifies Need for English Skills
Contrary to assumptions that AI translation tools could ease pressure on non-native English speakers, the report suggests the opposite. About six in 10 employers said AI cannot compensate for a worker’s lack of competency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Additionally, roughly 90% of employers stated that English skills are necessary to use AI interfaces, generate effective prompts, and assess the accuracy of AI output.
A respondent from Morocco’s finance sector noted that English is essential for employees using AI tools that primarily operate in English, while a professional services firm in Germany highlighted that programming and data-analysis interfaces are typically English-based. Singh added, “In many AI-facing and technology-driven roles, employers increasingly see communication skills as complementary to technical expertise. Professionals still need strong comprehension skills to interact effectively with platforms, interpret outputs accurately, and collaborate with global stakeholders.”
Business Costs of Insufficient English Skills
The business case for investing in English skills is measurable. Some 83% of respondents said hiring candidates with insufficient English skills imposes costs, including higher turnover, weaker retention, and lower productivity. Additionally, 74% reported that miscommunication from limited English proficiency had strained client relationships, and one in three employers cited customer turnover as a pressing challenge.
Singh explained that technically strong candidates may struggle in roles requiring frequent collaboration with multinational teams, documentation review, or multilingual client interaction. “This can impact onboarding speed, confidence levels, and overall productivity,” he said.
Barriers to Adoption
Despite growing demand, implementation remains uneven. About 90% of respondents reported at least one barrier to adopting English-language assessment tools, with time constraints, scaling challenges, and difficulty finding trusted providers each cited by 36%. HR leaders identified the biggest shortcomings in accurately assessing speaking and listening skills.
Looking ahead, 84% of organizations expect companies in their countries to invest in English-language assessments and employee education within five years. Furthermore, 53% of respondents predicted that governments will introduce policies promoting English fluency in secondary education over the same period.
Singh concluded, “We do see hiring processes becoming increasingly assessment-led over the next few years, not only for language skills but across technical, behavioral, and cognitive capabilities as well. In the GCC, however, the future will likely be centered around multilingual readiness.”
