24th June 2025
Widening Access to Language Training
Amazon Career Choice and EF Corporate Learning: Empowering Growth from Day One
Amazon’s decision to remove the waiting period for English language training in its Career Choice program reflects a powerful insight: investing in people from day one accelerates not just learning, but long-term impact.
Through its ongoing partnership with EF Corporate Learning, Amazon now enables new hires to begin their English studies from their first day on the job. This change demonstrates a shift in perspective, positioning language proficiency as a core skill necessary for workplace success and broader inclusion.
The results speak volumes. Since the change, uptake of EF’s language programs through Career Choice has grown by approximately 30%, reflecting a clear and growing appetite among employees to build communication skills that fuel confidence, progression, and integration.
“Our research shows that English proficiency correlates closely with professional opportunity, meaning that limited language skills can be a significant barrier to career progress and participation in lifelong learning. Language training is key to addressing this.”
Language skills that build confidence
For many Amazon employees, the journey to career growth begins with overcoming the fear of speaking up. Monika, an Inventory Control & Quality Assurance Leader, shared how language training helped her find her voice at work.
“At first, I remember, I was more scared talking to different people … After taking the course, I noticed different people talking and they were not scared. So, I felt like, OK I can do this, it's not that bad.”
With increased confidence, Monika now participates in meetings with ease, communicates more effectively over email, and feels prepared to take on greater responsibilities within the company.
Flexible learning for busy lives
With many Amazon employees adhering to different shift patterns, flexibility is essential to balance live classes with work and personal commitments. Florian Razvan, an Amazon Associate, explains how the program helps him to study according to his own schedule.
“What I like most about EF is the flexibility, I can join classes whenever I have time, which fits well with my work schedule. I also enjoy meeting new people from different parts of the world. The self-study program is well structured and clearly explained, which helps me learn at my own pace.”
This adaptability ensures that language training remains accessible and sustainable, to enable long-term learner engagement and skill development.
Building life skills beyond the workplace
While the business benefits of improved English are clear, from better team communication to smoother operations, the impact extends well beyond the workplace. For Francisco, a Technical Specialist who moved from Argentina to Ireland, learning English has helped him feel more connected and capable in daily life.
“Simple activities like shopping, asking for directions, or participating in local community events have become more natural and less stressful as my confidence grows. These might seem like small victories, but they make a significant difference in feeling more integrated into Irish life.”
This highlights one of the most valuable but often overlooked outcomes of early access to language training: it enhances belonging, both inside and outside of work.
Supporting ambitions and leadership goals
Amazon’s Career Choice program is designed not just to help employees succeed today, but to prepare them for what’s next, whether at Amazon or elsewhere. For employees like Francisco, language training is an essential step toward leadership.
“My career aspirations include advancing to a leadership position within Amazon's Infrastructure Department, potentially as a Team Lead or Project Manager. Mastering English is crucial as it enables me to communicate complex ideas clearly, mentor team members, and engage confidently with upper management.”
By enabling early access to foundational skills like English, Amazon is removing one of the biggest invisible barriers to progression, while setting the tone for a culture that values potential from day one.
A scalable model for inclusive growth
Amazon’s approach demonstrates that education benefits are most impactful when they’re inclusive, immediate, and strategically aligned with workforce needs. Through its global partnership network, including EF Corporate Learning, Career Choice has supported thousands of employees in developing skills that drive mobility, both within Amazon and beyond.
“We're delighted to continue our partnership with EF Corporate Learning as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees. […] Today, over 250,000 Amazon employees around the world have participated in Career Choice and we've seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.”
Amazon’s early investment in employee development is delivering measurable results across inclusion, engagement, and growth. Through language learning with EF Corporate Learning, more employees are finding their voice, seizing new opportunities, and building the skills they need for success – starting from day one.
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