Fit for international business

In many lines of occupation, the growing together of Europe increasingly requires the skill of being able to communicate in at least one foreign language.

Foreign language skills are a requirement for European-wide and international mobility and flexibility as well as for the successful co-operation between partners from different language backgrounds. This is why occupation-related foreign language skills are increasingly expected to be part of a person's technical knowledge and professional competence.

In order to provide Hessian pupils with the opportunity of attaining proof of their occupation-related foreign language skills, the Federal State of Hessen has involved itself already at an early stage in the implementation of this objective at a federal government level. This commitment resulted in the first examination round of the KMK foreign language certificate at the Vogelsberg School in 2002/2003.
[KMK: Kultusministerkonferenz, Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder]

Apprentices from regional businesses, savings banks and other financial institutions proved their skills not only in understanding occupation-relevant information in a foreign language in the examination areas listening and reading comprehension, text production and mediation, but also regarding the ability to produce documents in English and to convey important issues to business partners and customers.

This examination took place again this year. The written exam, which many examinees passed with good and very good results, was complemented by an oral exam, which simulated consultations with customers and required the imparting of important information in the foreign language. The apprentices proved their technical skills as well as their foreign and technical language competences.

The certification of foreign language skills in the field of vocational education and training is issued in a special document, which is based on a transparent system of standard levels that is recognised throughout Europe and with which all employers are familiar.

In a Europe that is increasingly growing together, it is becoming more and more important for young people to be able to rely on the common language of English in the event of international occupational and private contacts. This is why the Vogelsberg School consciously promotes foreign language lessons in the field of vocational education and training.