International projects
Marina: meeting the language and skills needs of coastal and river tourism workers
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
1988 |
University of Primorska |
Koper |
1810014 |
0 |
Abstract
Coastal and river tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Europe, the largest employer among all maritime activities, and makes a vital contribution to the economies of coastal communities, providing not only direct employment but also spin-off benefits. Foreign visitors constitute a significant proportion of coastal tourists. Because it is largely seasonal, however, many workers are low-skilled and much less likely to speak a foreign language than the better-educated permanent employees. Some seasonal employees are migrants and may not even speak the local language. Yet it is precisely the seasonal and lower-skilled employees who are most likely to have direct contacts with foreign visitors, in kiosks, information booths, ticket offices, petrol stations, repair bays, shops, restaurants, internet cafes etc – that is, in the reception of tourists. Thus they are often in need of skills training and language learning opportunities. Language classes are mostly aimed at leisure learners whereas skill training takes place in the local language. The beauty of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) method is that it combines both by teaching skills in a foreign language. It also quickly engenders confidence in the ability to learn. We aim, therefore, to develop CLIL courses in the reception of foreign tourists in marinas, yachting harbours and cruise liner ports, in languages chosen after a needs analysis. In order to make the courses widely usable by learners, employers and educational providers, the courses will be available through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), delivered through a dedicated learning management system.The partnership is very experienced and includes a range of skills and knowledge, including expertise in teaching foreign languages to adults, adult training, sailing and marine tourism, managing online learning, dissemination and exploitation, and project evaluation. They are located on the North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian and Danube. The main tangible outcomes will be a manual and handbook, the courses developed and a range of reports, all freely available via the internet. The main intangible outcome will be the relationships formed between the partners and the strategic working groups.The impact will be greatly enhanced by the formation from the start of strategic working groups to advise and evaluate the products, and strategic networks, which will be kept informed of progress. These groups will include employers, workers’ representatives and learning providers. The courses will be tested with direct beneficiaries during the project, and will also be freely accessible for three years after and can be transferred to other learning providers and employers. The project results will also be disseminated to non-partner countries, through the partners’ extensive networks and a final conference in Estonia. They should make an important contribution to the training of coastal and river tourism workers.
