The paper will report on a project
funded by the EU under the Leonardo programme.
The project aimed to develop a learning platform with a flexible approach to
address the language learning needs of SMEs through the use of information technology,
specifically in regions with restricted access to institutionalised language
teaching. The languages included are English, German and Italian.
The training scheme contains the following ingredients:
- Linguistic auditing
The materials are developed after a thorough needs analysis carried out in the
companies. The auditing process consists of interviews with the executives in
the companies and with individual postholders in order to find out what the
specific language needs in the daily work routine are. This is followed by language
tests.
- Tutors
For each language there is one tutor on site who visits the company regularly
to discuss the tasks set by the distance tutor who is based in the country of
the target language. The distance tutor is responsible for the development of
the materials and he/she sets tasks. Ideally both tutors are native speakers
with excellent IT skills and international experience. The tutors communicate
with each other on a regular basis in order to be able to continuously tailor
the programme as soon as new needs arise or if learners evaluate materials or
procedures negatively.
- Media and Channels
The distance tutors communicate with the learners and with each other through
e-mail, videoconferencing, a www bulletin board and telephone. The materials
are also available on a CD-ROM.
- Materials
Materials are designed to improve all four skills: speaking, listening, reading
and writing.
So far materials in all three languages are available for the following training
modules:
Presentations, telephoning, survival skills, hosting, documentation and written
communication, tasks for tandem learners. The decision to focus on those areas
was taken after the needs analysis.
- Tandem partner
Each learner is assigned to a tandem partner in the country of the target language.
Both partners learn each others language respectively. There are specific tasks
set for tandem work. The tandem partnership is an opportunity for the learner
to get first-hand experience of the target business culture.
The project was completed by the end of 2000. Currently the project partners envisage a commercialisation of the training scheme.
Thomas Vogel
Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)