The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

- Ludwig Wittgenstein

Saxion Hospitality Business SchoolMiriam Algera

The Netherlands, March – April 2014

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The Hospitality Business School (HBS) accommodates 2.300 students of 26 different nationalities.

Each year, 900 students spend a semester in the hospitality industry of which 44% abroad.

Upon graduation 72% of our students have international experience.

Hospitality is the crucial factor in people’s well-being and plays an increasingly prominent role in a rapidly changing world.

Institution

HBS provides students with topical and innovative education and research activities which are focused on issues of the future.

HBS gives students a broad view of hospitality and internationalisation.

HBS encourages students to come up with innovative, flexible solutions that are financially viable, but also socially responsible.

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From the very first day students learn about the industry and need to translate theory into practice successfully.

Lecturers interweave day-to-day reality into their teaching by visiting the workplace.

Actions developed in coordination with other entities

industry experience / practical-level traineeship / management traineeship / HBS expedition / thesis / field trips / business cases/ advisory oards: share your expertise / events / research / seminars / workshops

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Saxion connects students, alumni, staff and business relations.

Demands from the field of hospitality are taken very seriously.

profesional writing / internal and external report writing / presentations / customer- orientated behaviour / customer-focused proposals / job application / meetings

Strategies

Language policy developed

Beginning level tested

Quick scan implemented

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From the very start students are made aware of the importance of language skills and are confronted regularly with the industry’s expectations.

Discover Saxion’s partner universities, business relations, current students, alumni, staff and projects across the globe. Share knowledge and experience.

Results

Awareness Improvement of communicative competences.

Integrating new IT: MOOCs, weblectures.

Our Saxion World: explore, share and network.

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Saxion and the hospitality industry both find language skills essential for the professional life. There is a need to find challenging ways to integrate language teaching into vocational education. Students are offered ample chance to gain international experience within the workfield.New technology should be used to inspire students.Quality of testing beginning and end level has proven difficult.

Conclusions