Hyderabad, July 14 : Cambridge University Press & Assessment hosted the Cambridge English Leadership Conference 2026 in Hyderabad, bringing together principals, school leaders and English educators to discuss how schools can prepare learners for success in an increasingly AI-enabled world. The conference explored how learner-centred classrooms, effective assessment, data-driven feedback, and strong foundations in communication can help students thrive academically and professionally.
The discussions come at a time when English proficiency is increasingly recognised as a critical employability skill. Findings from a recent Cambridge survey of nearly 1,900 college students across India found that almost 100% consider English important for securing a good job, while 30% identified English skills and confidence as a key barrier to employment. More than half reported that they do not feel fully prepared for placements. As the same students identify core skill gaps in comprehension and confidence as barriers, over 80% of students focus on three add-ons: technical/industry certifications, internships or real-world projects, and English language certification.
The findings also reinforce a critical reality that communication skills employers value are developed over the course of a learner's school education. Strong foundations in listening, speaking, reading and writing established during the formative years play a significant role in shaping future academic success, confidence and employability.
Hyderabad has firmly established itself as one of India's foremost technology and innovation hubs, home to leading global capability centres , multinational companies and a rapidly expanding higher education ecosystem. With around 15 foreign universities exploring campuses in and around the city and Telangana accelerating AI integration in schools, students are increasingly preparing for globally connected education and careers. In this evolving environment, strong English communication skills are increasingly recognised as a critical enabler of global education and employability, helping learners communicate confidently across cultures and succeed in international academic and professional settings.
While AI technologies are getting embedded in education and work, participants of the survey highlighted that students need more than access to information. Strong capabilities in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing remain essential to help learners interpret information, think critically, ask meaningful questions, collaborate effectively and communicate with confidence.
"As AI becomes part of everyday learning, the ability to communicate, analyse and think critically becomes even more important. These are skills that are built progressively throughout a child’s school journey and are rooted in strong foundations in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Our research shows that students recognise the importance of English for future employment, yet many continue to face challenges with confidence and communication. This reinforces the need for schools to focus not only on teaching English as a subject, but on developing measurable language proficiency that supports academic success, employability and lifelong learning," said Arun Rajamani, Managing Director, South Asia, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Key conference sessions led by Cambridge expert Helen Kenyon explored strengthening learner-centred classrooms through better insight, instruction and feedback; using digital tools to support inclusive and autonomous learning; interpreting assessment results to provide meaningful learner support; engaging parents through effective communication; and understanding whether AI can act as a co-teacher in modern classrooms.
Participants also discussed the growing importance of benchmarking language proficiency against internationally recognised standards. Educators explored how schools can move beyond subjective measures and use robust assessment frameworks to understand learner progress across listening, speaking, reading and writing. Cambridge English Qualifications, aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference , provide schools with internationally recognised benchmarks to track learner development and identify areas requiring targeted support.