Strengthening Language Skills of Cross-Border Actors

The Example of Tandem Language Courses Applied to Professional Practice

Absztrakt

Cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine Region, which includes parts of Germany, France and Switzerland, has a long tradition, dating back to the 1960s. It is a dynamic form of cooperation that operates at various levels, for example at the political and administrative levels, but also between businesses and universities. Numerous networks, often arising from INTERREG projects, exist. Over the last few years, exchanges between citizens, stimulated by cross-border dialogues or citizens’ councils, have become increasingly important. Despite this long-standing cross-border practice, there are sometimes obstacles that make cooperation more difficult. Among the obstacles cited, the language barrier is frequently mentioned. Despite the existing proximity, plurilingualism among residents, and also among administrative staff, is not a given. Research and practical experience show that language and culture are closely linked. The tandem language learning method, which is applied at the Euro-Institut with a focus on professional practice, takes this link into account. This paper aims on the one hand to provide a scientifically sound overview of the tandem method, a language learning method that focuses on interaction between learners, and on the other hand to verify the hypothesis that the tandem method is appropriate for cross-border staff.