Summer doesn’t have to be slow for learning. For HR teams, August is a golden window to build communication skills without disrupting workflows. With a lighter pace and fewer meetings, it’s the perfect moment to inspire teams to learn — and make it feel like a perk, not another task.
Let’s look at five practical ways to keep upskilling this summer, with just the right mix of inspiration, ready-to-use resources, and relaxed engagement. Throughout, you’ll find plug-and-play tools that your HR team can use right away — no extra research required.
1. Gentle Language Immersion: Embrace the “Silent Period”
Summer is ideal for easing employees into language learning by focusing on listening and understanding. Think of it as a warm-up, building confidence and comprehension through enjoyable content:
- Diary of a CEO (Steven Bartlett) Podcast: English listening practice and business inspiration from top leaders and experts from different sectors (upper-intermediate and advanced).
- Read Newsweek online or watch videos from Time magazine’s online collection on culture, world, health and politics
- TED Talks (“communication” or “body language”): Curated talks with transcripts, great for advanced learners. Choose a topic that suits your team, or let them choose.
- Coffee Break Languages: Bite-sized podcasts in multiple languages, 10–13 minutes a day for all levels.
- BBC Learning English “News Review” on YouTube: 6–10 minute listening segments on current topics, with transcripts — ideal for intermediate listeners.
- Duolingo Stories: Short, leveled audio stories for beginner+ and pre-intermediate learners; combines reading and listening for contextual learning.
2. Build Business Acumen with Summer Reading & Audiobooks
Encourage informal professional development with curated books and audiobooks that blend business insights with language practice:
- “The Making of a Manager” by Julie Zhuo — For new managers, offering clear leadership lessons.
- “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott — Direct, caring feedback techniques for workplace trust.
- “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown — Tools to focus and prioritize what matters.
- “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek — Inspirational storytelling on building strong, loyal teams.
- “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss — Negotiation tips and language immersion for sales and storytelling.
These titles are designed to spark discussion — consider pairing one with a summer book club or sharing weekly takeaways on your team chat.
3. Make Training Social and Informal
Use the relaxed summer atmosphere to make learning feel collaborative and engaging. Try these informal, low-barrier activities:
- Virtual Coffee Morning Challenge: Weekly 15-minute chats in English (or another language) between team members. Ask a colleague to pick a topic first then pass the choice on to someone else for the next session.
- “Summer Communication Challenge” Slack Channel: Share a daily phrase, idiom, or joke for quick practice and team laughs.
- Book Club Lite: Pick a popular business or self-help book and discuss a chapter weekly in English.
- Role-Play Scenarios: Use pre-written cards (“giving feedback,” “negotiating deadlines”) for improvisational, scenario-based language practice.
- Story Exchange: Record and share summer vacation anecdotes in the target language via internal channels.
4. Use Summer for Smart Training Prep
Take advantage of quieter weeks to review, pilot, and plan your autumn training programs:
- Feedback Survey: Quick Google Form for employees to rate current training and suggest autumn topics.
- Pilot Mini-Module: Run a short, two-week micro-course; collect feedback before a full-scale rollout in September.
- Resource Audit: Have a team member refresh and reorganize digital learning resources.
- Onboarding “Buddy” Program: Pair summer starters with seasoned staff for conversational practice ahead of September onboarding.
- Planning Workshop: Hold an informal session to co-design the autumn learning calendar with volunteers.
5. Boost Well-Being and Engagement
Keep spirits high and foster connection, even as teams relax:
- Summer “Read & Listen” Challenge: Offer rewards for logging reading or listening in a target language.
- Language Exchange Lunches: Host in-person or virtual “picnic” sessions for language swap.
- Recognition Board: Spotlight summer learners in internal newsletters or chats.
- Podcast Walks: Suggest a specific podcast (like “The Business English Podcast”) for listening during a summer walk, and follow up with a team takeaway or quiz.
By using summer to support learning in small, engaging ways, HR teams can build stronger, more confident communicators — ready to lead, present, and collaborate when the pace picks up again.
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