Description
Market research has shown that in the Tarnów region there are no tuition-free practice-oriented studies in the field of tourism and hospitality and unemployment rate among the graduates is high. The main objective of the project is to develop new tuition-free courses within a new specialization Economy of Tourism and Hospitality with English as a Foreign Language. The the project will support the students’ potential and mobility, exchange of experience and general improvement of the quality of teaching through increasing the competence of the academic staff. The permanent implementation of the new specialization, teaching practical skills based on an innovative teaching method- a tourism business simulation facility, running part of the classes in English and Polish-Norwegian student and staff mobility will be the most important project's effects.Our partners will co-organize mobility, conferences and lectures and take part in developing teaching materials and study programmes.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to the existing needs for running studies preparing to work in the field of tourism, as no regional HEI offered programmes in this field.The specialization developed within the project was to enrich the educational offer preparing professionals to work in the tourism industry. Furthermore, a course in English for Tourism was to increase their competitiveness on the labour market. The new specialization was also aimed to contribute to the development of the local economy and the reduction of unemployment.The project involved development of the university infrastructure, attracting new students, improving competence of teachers and an exchange of good practices with the Norwegian partners. Achieved results: • Implementation of a new specialization ‘Economy of Tourism and Hospitality with English as a Foreign Language’ • Developing a curriculum for the new specialization, developing 19 individual syllabi for the new courses • Taking an internationally recognized exam LCCI English for Tourism Level 1/2 by 82 students of the new specialization • Organizing 6-week internships for a group of 24 2nd yr students • Development of the academic staff competence through participation of 20 people in the workshops on modern teaching methods • Setting up a tourism industry simulation facility and a computer lab • Purchase of new textbooks and professional literature to support 19 new courses and English course preparing students to take LCCI EFT Level 1/2 exam • Development of teaching materials, including simulation games and role-plays /lesson scenarios for 19 new courses • Polish and Norwegian students and academic staff mobility (47 students and 11 staff) • Delivering 50 hours of lectures in Eng. as a part of implemented courses • Organizing and hosting 3 conferences:introducing to the project, the students research societies’ conference ""Challenges to tourism and hospitality industry in the face of growing competition"" and a conference summarizing the project • Publication on the completion of the project, containing an outline of the simulation method, curriculum and learning outcomes,syllabi, lesson plans, teaching games, teaching English for Specific Purposes • Building the project webpage as a part of the University's website • Delivering 120-hour English for Tourism course (the total of 360 hours - 3 project groups)
Summary of bilateral results
1. Development of curricula, also in English, in order to make them available to foreign students, to increase PWSZ's participation in international programmes and to promote student mobility; 2. Getting support in development and delivery of lectures in Eng. (host lecturers from Norway during study visits); 3. 2 study visits of the Polish beneficiaries in Norway and 1 visit of the Norwegians in Poland. Mobility involved both students and staff participation in lectures, workshops, 2 conferences, meetings with tourism industry employers, as well as getting acquainted with the touristic offer in the host countries; 4. Sharing ideas on implementation of practice-oriented teaching methods; 5. Establishing a travel agency simulation facility and didactic cooperation with LUC (running classes for mixed groups of Polish and Norwegian students, using didactic games developed within the project); 6. Sharing experience and practical solutions to enhance the quality of teaching and quality culture; 7. Joint activities aimed at promoting the University and the new specialization as well as making the educational offer available to foreign students mainly by means of a new professional webpage containing inf., also in English, on the project partners. The grant has significantly contributed to the development of bilateral cooperation both at the stage of the project implementation and after its completion. The two preparatory visits, financed within Norway Grants, initiated cooperation between PWSZ, LUC and Mo and Oyrane Vocational School and resulted in a joint implementation of the project. Bilateral cooperation has facilitated development of innovative study programmes, responding to current needs and challenges on national and European level including cooperation with the private sector. The key importance should be assigned to the simulation facility which addresses current didactic needs, demanding application of adequate methods, especially at practice-oriented, vocational higher education institutions such as PWSZ. An innovative character of the simulation results from development of a didactic tool responding to the specific needs of travel industry, such as variety of decision-making situations in the tourism market. The partnership has also enhanced language competence of students and staff.