The Elite Language Centre recently conducted an online survey to learn more about foreign language use for business purposes. Companies made it clear that the need for foreign workers will very probably increase in the near future, especially for people who speak languages other than Slovak. According to a recent report about every fourth new job position is currently filled by a foreigner. For individuals who seek employee or self-employed status, anecdotal and media-reported evidence indicates that the police has in recent years presented a discouraging obstacle for job seekers and workers. The survey also found that while many companies offer language training for their employees many courses are taught by people who are not suited for the job. There is a significant number of under-qualified teachers being hired at cheap rates by language companies that win contracts by offering the lowest bid. Training should be given more structure, the survey concludes.
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For more information, please contact the editor Jan Cremers or Sanne van der Gaag, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS) cbn-aias@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Willy De Backer wdebacker@etui.org © ETUI