Naslov
FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN EASTERN CROATIA

Autori
Sedlan-König, Ljerka ; Hocenski-Dreiseidl, Mirna ; Hocenski, Mia

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
6. međunarodni znanstveni simpozij Gospodarstvo istočne Hrvatske – vizija i razvoj : zbornik radova = 6th International scientific symposium Economy of Eastern Croatia – vision and growth / Mašek Tonković, Anka - Osijek : Ekonomski fakultet Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, 2017, 415-424

Skup
Međunarodni znanstveni simpozij Gospodarstvo istočne Hrvatske – vizija i razvoj (6 ; 2017)

Mjesto i datum
Osijek, Hrvatska, 25.05.2017. - 27.05.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
foreign language skills, graduates, employability, employers, higher education institution (HEI)

Sažetak
Language is a sophisticated, yet basic tool in our ability to communicate. Foreign language skills, which enhance the ability to communicate with people from around the world, have become valuable due to the requirements of the multicultural and multilingual labor market. Foreign languages are taught at higher education institutions (HEI) in Croatia, as twenty-first century graduates are expected to have acquired the skill of at least one foreign language. The aim of this research is to develop an understanding of foreign language skills, which are needed in general, but also considered and valued as an advantage for employment in Eastern Croatia. In the research conducted in April 2015, a questionnaire (for three subgroups - employers, students and HE educators from Eastern Croatia) was used to evaluate the perception of the importance of foreign language skills. Although the research demonstrates that foreign language skills are regarded as a highly-valued skill mainly due to the fact that businesses in Eastern Croatia compete in international markets and are export oriented, a disparity is noticed as students gave foreign language skills a slightly higher importance for employability than educators and employers. Knowing how to communicate in a foreign language makes graduates competitive and contributes to a more successful career. Both the academic and business sector might benefit from the results about the necessity of foreign language skills gained in this research. While our world is changing rapidly, the only thing that remains is the language which is the instrument for the future. The need for foreign language skills is higher than ever, and the skill itself should therefore be cared for.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

POVEZANOST RADA