The role of language competencies in youth mobility

Abstract

AIM OF THE PAPER

The aim of this paper is to test the assumption that foreign language competencies affect the willingness for and attitude to mobility of youngsters from several aspects. In our country, the generally weak foreign language competencies coupled with the often inefficient language teaching in schools determine youngsters’ attitude towards international mobility. All these are hindering factors in the use of foreign credit courses supported by the Erasmus programme in Hungary.

METHODOLOGY

The paper discusses the Hungarian results of an international research project, proving the hypothesis on the basis of 49 semi-structured narrative interviews that the availability or lack of foreign language competencies is a key issue in youngsters’ educational mobilities. In the paper, the availability or lack of language competencies and their effect supporting or hindering mobility as well as the development due to mobility and its consequences in students’ careers and future plans are investigated on the basis of interviews made with secondary school pupils and university students who have participated in mobility.

MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS

The investigation has confirmed that although youngsters’ foreign language knowledge has improved considerably in the last 10 years, it is still considered weak nowadays. To improve it is one of the factors in the competitiveness of the country. The research has revealed that youngsters’ mobility for academic purposes is related to their foreign language competencies. On the one hand, their language knowledge and on the other hand, the intention to improve their communication play a role in their decisions on going abroad.  

RECOMMENDATIONS

Our results may primarily be utilised in the field of educational policy, or may serve as the basis in the elaboration of development programmes promoting the development of youngsters’ jobtaking competencies, and through this, the competitiveness of Hungarian enterprises.