At a culinary school in Rome, a diverse group of professionals, including executives and retirees from across Europe and beyond, gather for an immersive language course aimed at more than just vocabulary acquisition. Among them is Frédéric Armandon, a French manager at Italian eyewear firm EssilorLuxottica, who underscores his motivation by expressing a desire to better integrate into his employer’s home culture. He describes his language learning as a sign of commitment and a tool for unlocking career opportunities within the company.

The weeklong courses, offered by Zurich-based language provider Education First (EF) for fees ranging from €1,000 to €1,500 in cities like Rome and more in locations such as New York, signal a sustained demand for in-person instruction despite the widespread availability of AI-powered translation technologies like ChatGPT and Google Translate. While these tools can facilitate literal translation, employers and educators emphasize that language skills continue to play a critical role in building trust, cultural understanding, and effective relationships in the workplace.

Laura Weis, human-AI strategy lead at advertising group WPP, notes that while AI now manages much of the literal translation, fluency in another language remains essential for navigating cultural nuances and influencing global audiences. Similarly, Daniel Harris, managing director at recruitment firm Robert Walters for the UK and Ireland, points out that employers are increasingly valuing “cultural intelligence” — the ability to comprehend and work across different social contexts — which is often developed through immersive experiences abroad rather than language proficiency alone.

This shift reflects a broader recognition that modern workplaces require employees who can operate beyond basic translation to authentically engage with diverse teams and markets. Minna Paunova, associate professor of management at ESCP Business School, highlights that language learning cultivates valuable skills such as tolerance for ambiguity and perseverance through a prolonged period of being less competent, which organizations prize amid global uncertainty.

Technology companies are also adapting their language-learning tools to supplement human interaction rather than replace it. Josh Crossick, chief product officer at Preply, explains that AI-driven innovations—including personalised feedback and context-specific conversational practice—enhance how learners acquire skills but do not substitute the human connection language fosters. This distinction is echoed by participants like Valerie Murgich Lopez, a project manager in Spain, who notes that improving her English has enhanced workplace abilities including confident communication and effective presentations.

Back in the Rome classroom, the shared experience of stumbling through Italian exercises and laughter over imperfect pasta-making underscores a deeper value. Beyond functional language skills, the collaborative act of learning together fosters a sense of belonging and mutual understanding that transcends straightforward translation—an element still crucial in today’s interconnected yet culturally complex professional environments.