The catalyst for partnership in learning and skills

International Services

EMFEC recognises that if the region is to achieve its economic and skills objectives, it is essential that businesses, young people and adults have the skills and knowledge to work across international boundaries. The enlarged European Union not only provides increased opportunities for people to travel and work abroad, but also increases the opportunities for those who work in the region to engage with international customers in a variety of contexts. The skills required to support people in an international environment may be cultural awareness, language ability or a technical ability in, for example, procurement, exporting/importing and to support the increasing tourism industry.

Our International Services team gives support by providing our members and partners with information, guidance, training and development with the intention of removing any barriers preventing successful cross-border co-operation and working. We have worked with a range of international partners and are able to utilise these for the benefit of our members and domestic partners.

EMFEC’s commitment to supporting the international dimension in learning and skills has continued with a number of projects and activities as highlighted below.

Languages for Tourism Plus Project

Languages for Tourism, an innovative project run by EMFEC aimed at improving the language skills of the UK's tourism sector. It has culminated in the production of on-line language learning modules which, unlike traditional language learning modules that target those travelling abroad as tourists, are unique in that they equip people currently working within the sector and travel and tourism students with the appropriate language skills to give a warmer welcome to those inbound tourists whose first language is not English. They are available in French (intermediate level) and Spanish, German and Italian (for beginners) and the training package comprises:

Introduction, including tips for language learning
Tourist Attractions module
Accommodation Providers module
Tourist Information Office module
Travel and Transport module
Reference and grammar section and
A description of Nottinghamshire in all four languages, including a glossary of vocabulary and phrases

The project has been funded by ESF Objective 3 monies, co-financed by the Nottinghamshire Learning and Skills Council, and funding came to a conclusion at the end of March 2006, following a series of successful training sessions based on the web-based modules delivered to both employees within the tourism sector and travel and tourism students within Nottinghamshire FE colleges. Loughborough College have been involved in the development of the language content of the modules and the Steering Group has included representation from both Nottingham Trent University and Experience Nottinghamshire. The project originated as a research project in 2002 and, in 2004, was awarded a 'European Award for Languages'.

For sample material please click here.

To find out more, please contact Pauline Guild at EMFEC on 0115 854 1627 or email paulineg@emfec.co.uk

East Midlands – Alsace Partnerships

The established partnership between EMFEC and the Académie de Strasbourg was strengthened in 2004 by both parties signing a co-operation agreement during an official visit to the East Midlands by Monsieur Chaix, the Recteur of the Académie in May. An EMFEC group made a reciprocal visit to the Alsace in early October 2005 and the following priorities were agreed as part of the linking programme between our two regions:

The implementation of Comenius Projects in Leicester schools and at West Nottinghamshire College
Reciprocal visits of Leicester and Strasbourg teachers to explore the use of ICT in language teaching
Increase in the numbers of BacPro and BTS students coming on work placements to the East Midlands
Vocational specialist teachers coming to West Nottinghamshire College on Comenius study visits - three successful visits have already been hosted by the College during 2005/6
Bilateral partnerships in vocational areas to be developed initially through virtual mobility
The organisation of cultural and vocational exchanges
Visits of the Académie de Strasbourg Inspectorate to explore performance management, centre self-evaluation and self-assessment
Wider and closer website links