This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This material reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein
basic information
THE INITIATIVE PROMOTER’S PERSPECTIVE
In Portugal, over the last few years, almost all the major construction and public works projects have been carried out by transnational consortia. In order to respond to these changes, companies in the sector will need to achieve greater levels of specialisation and expertise. This can only be achieved by increasing the level of skills of those who work in the sector, which means better training and qualification.
The Centro Europeu de Línguas, in partnership with other training organisations in Portugal (CENFIC), Spain (ALOS) and France (SCFCA), has developed a pilot project aimed at facilitating the acquisition of language skills within the context of professional training for the civil construction sector.
The partnership involved in the project set up a joint action plan aimed at fulfilling the following objectives: a detailed study of the profile, the working techniques and the communication needs of the 3 professions.
Following the results of this study, we designed courses for contextualised language training in Portuguese, Spanish and French at beginner/elementary level. During the first year, a detailed study into the profile of each profession was carried out by civil construction professionals. This included inventory of the techniques, tools and equipment common to all 3 countries, was accompanied by an analysis of the communication needs of the 3 professions in each country, carried out by language professionals. In the second year, we began to plan language courses based on the findings of these studies, and designed language learning materials in Portuguese, Spanish and French for the 3 professions. These materials include a coursebook, a teacher's guide, a video and a technical glossary. In the third year, the courses and the materials were tested, both with young trainees in initial vocational training and with existing workers. The materials were consequently revised and the products of the project were launched.
Comments on this Case Studies
Date: 2014.09.18
Posted by Gexcall (Spain)
Message: Achieving levels of specialisation and expertise in foreign languages is an ardous task, however, nowadays all professions and enterprises require their workers to improve their language skills. Thus,a project facilitating the acquisition of language skills within the context of professional training is quite stimulating for both employes & employees. As a suggestion I would change the way the materials are presented. More interactive materials attract workers\' attention.
