Orange Drives Digital Transformation with Speexx Online Language Training Platform
Orange, a leading global telecom operator, collaborated with Speexx to revolutionize language learning. This shift to an adaptable digital format enabled access to a broader range of languages and tailored programs anytime, anywhere. It resulted in a surge in digital learning hours and opened avenues for broader digitization initiatives.
About
The Orange Group is a leading global telecommunications operator serving 296 million customers worldwide with its comprehensive range of mobile, landline, and television services. As Spain’s second-largest telecommunications operator, Orange is one of the country’s most prominent foreign investors. In terms of revenue, Spain is the Orange Group’s largest domestic market outside France. Through its Orange, Jazztel, and Simyo brands, the company has earned the trust of over 21.6 million customers within Spain.
Background
Until 2018, Orange utilized a traditional learning model that consisted entirely of in-person group classes with fixed schedules. Moreover, it provided English classes to fewer than 10% of its workforce. That year, Orange introduced flexible working hours and a telework day, which later expanded to two telework days, rendering the previous learning arrangements incompatible with the new flexible work model.
At the same time, a surge in proposals from fully online training providers prompted Orange to reconsider their approach. This led to opening a bidding process, ultimately won by Speexx in December 2017, marking the transition to a more adaptable learning framework.
“From the employee’s perspective, they can now access learning from any location and on any device, at any time, with a wealth of content and resources at their disposal. As for our team, we’ve begun to gather a significant amount of data. This enables us to segment users and provide programs tailored to their specific needs, a task that was previously very challenging with large numbers of learners.”
Ana Rus Brox, Learnability Promoter, Orange España
Goal
Orange aimed to launch the project in early January 2018, requiring the assessment of the 1,200 employees registered for training through both an online and a telephonic oral level test. Given Orange’s open internal training strategy, it was essential to adapt to the continuous influx of new users and accommodate ongoing demands throughout the year. Accordingly, Speexx needed to be flexible, leading to the creation of tailored program combinations to meet the diverse needs of all Orange groups.
This included specific assistance for French managers relocating to Spain, who need extra support in learning the local language.
Moreover, the training had to be eligible for funding by Fundae, a public body in Spain that assesses and funds Spanish companies’ learning initiatives.
Challenge
The initial challenge involved shifting mindsets, as many employees resisted the online format. To motivate participation, a promotional campaign was launched, and Speexx hosted several webinars to address concerns.
Subsequently, various customized training programs were introduced. The company-wide ‘Language for All’ program is voluntary, offers free access, and requires users to pass one level each year with at least an 80% score. For those seeking a more intensive program, Speexx introduced ‘Fast and Furious’ for advancing two sublevels annually, and ‘Speaking All Year,’ a premium service featuring one-to-one conversation sessions.
Outcome
Following the implementation of flexible working, Orange’s face-to-face training model became redundant. With the leap to a purely digital solution with Speexx, the company has been able to adapt to its current policy, giving global access to learning and classes at any time, place and device. In addition, they can now offer more languages: English, French – their parent language – and Spanish.
Furthermore, thanks to data collection, Orange created segmentations to offer customized programs that meet the needs of each employee. The data also helps to track users, offer better support, and personalize communications, encouraging them when they are less active.
Outlook
Digitizing language learning prompted Orange to contemplate applying similar digital transformations to other traditionally face-to-face and scheduled training programs. A key factor in Orange’s consideration of broader training digitization has been the doubling of asynchronous (on demand) digital training hours since partnering with Speexx.
