Language teaching and learning in VET. What future?

Abstract

Up to some decades ago, the concepts of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Language Learning were considered irreconcilable and incompatible. Until the 19th Century, VET was regarded to be in opposition to a classical curriculum. Today, such a vision has changed drastically and VET can be defined as "education and training which aim to equip people with knowledge, knowhow, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market" (CEDEFOP). In today's labour world, mastery in foreign languages enables workers to considerably improve their career prospects with several studies showing a very close connection between proficiency in languages and employability. Yet, a lot still needs to be done in terms of implementation and methods of language teaching and learning which are more learner-focused and more applied to professional contexts. One possible solution is the introduction of language courses for VET students which are a combination between Language Proficiency & Languages for Specific Purposes courses. Such courses would provide a method of learning, teaching and assessing basic skills or abilities in the language, according to the particular needs of the students and the specific requirements of the vocational domain.