Acquisition of Professional Competences Through Language Teaching Louisa Hendriks-Liu Hospitality Business School Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands
Saxion University Public university established in 1875 Focus on profession-oriented education 11 Schools, 6 Research Centers 24,000 students majoring in 52 bachelor programs and 12 master programs 2,200 staff members Located in Enschede, Deventer, and Apeldoorn
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Hospitality Business School 2,300 students staff members Bachelor of Business Administration in Tourism Management (Dutch & English) Hotel Management (Dutch & English) Facility Management (Dutch) 3 Master programs Hands on, Minds on, Hearts on
Language Strategies Language and Maths: building blocks of students' stock of knowledge online test / diagnostic tests Competence of communication Teaching and testing incorporated in various courses The limits of my language means the limits of my world. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
Competence of Communication Teaching and testing of skills: embedded in language and vocational courses as well Oral skills Sales pitch in Marketing Convincing the board in Strategic Plan Thesis defense Written skills “Quick Scan” on reports, thesis, etc.
English Teaching Objective: improving communication skills in business context by means of integrating professional knowledge into language teaching Target group: first, second, third year students Tools: course books, internally composed learning materials, recommended sources, etc.
What We Do (1) Focus of Teaching Knowledge: grammar, vocabulary Skills: Reading Speaking Writing
What We Do (2) Knowledge: with relation to the business context Grammar: Tense: bottleneck vs advice for improvement Style: passive vs active voice Vocabulary: Business vocabulary book Vocabulary list from audio/video materials
What We Do (3) Language Skills: 1. Reading: Books/articles about hospitality industry Making-People-Feel-Welcome- ebook/dp/B00AZ6G8QO Making-People-Feel-Welcome- ebook/dp/B00AZ6G8QO Websites of hospitality business companies
What We Do (4) Language Skills: 2. Speaking: clear, receiver-oriented, and result-oriented B2B telephone conversation Promotional pitch Business meeting Business negotiation Initial interview
What We Do (5) Language Skills: 3. Writing: clear, receiver-oriented, and result-oriented Application letter Internal business report Advisory report Promotional writing: press release/brochure/ request of proposal
How We Do It Key: course development and assessment Way: teachers with knowledge of the industry Language teachers: industry internship Team set-up: industry oriented Task division: Multi-disciplinary course team: HM/DD Internship supervisor / thesis assessor Study career counselor
Innovation “The only way forward in life is innovation.” - Georges St.-Pierre Trends and development New technology
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