Breaking Down Language Barriers for Frontline Staff

When we both moved abroad, we discovered something that traditional language apps never prepared us for: the gap between knowing a language and truly thriving in your career.

In Berlin, Harry watched his friend struggle with the same language barriers that plague care workers everywhere. She was senior enough to lead teams, but her German wasn't polished enough for client calls. Her colleagues would take calls on her behalf whilst she sat excluded from lunch conversations, unable to participate in the workplace culture.

Meanwhile, Henry was navigating his own language challenges across multiple countries, watching career-minded immigrants everywhere face the same invisible ceiling. They'd passed their visa requirements, completed general language courses, but still struggled with the precise, nuanced communication their roles demanded. For care workers, this wasn't just about career progression; it was about providing quality care to vulnerable people.

We realised that language learning had a fundamental flaw: apps like Duolingo teach you words like "grass" and "witches," but what about understanding when Mrs Jenkins says she needs to "spend a penny"? What about navigating Yorkshire accents or writing care notes that meet regulatory standards?

This challenge became crystal clear when we turned our attention to Adult Social Care in the UK. Here, language isn't just about career advancement; it's literally the backbone of quality care. When 9 out of 10 complaints about home carers stem from communication failures, we knew we'd found where our mission mattered most.

For care workers, effective communication goes far beyond vocabulary acquisition. It's about building trust with vulnerable people who depend on you. It's understanding cultural nuance in what people say and how they say it. It's writing precise care notes under time pressure, then rushing to your next appointment whilst maintaining that human connection that makes care work meaningful.

Language is the backbone of care. Language is the backbone of integration. When someone is confident in their English, they're confident in themselves, their work, and their ability to provide exceptional care.

That's why we built Lingly to use AI to break down these barriers and give career-minded immigrants the targeted language training they actually need to thrive. We're starting with Adult Social Care because the need is urgent and the impact is measurable, but our mission extends to every frontline worker who deserves the tools to communicate with confidence.

Every individual has the right to language training that unlocks their full professional potential. That's what drives us every day.

Book a demo today to see how lingly can transform workplace communication for your care team.

— Harry & Henry
Founders, Lingly