The world gets smaller and smaller and one can reach any continent and country within a couple of hours of air-travel. This also means that people from different cultures, speaking different languages meet and need (and wish) to communicate. Previous generations wished to introduce ESPERANTA as the common language for intercultural communication; today however the trend is that all citizens of the world consider English as the International language of communication. In most countries, English is taught as the second language.
Switzerland
Depending on regions this might be different. A good example is Switzerland, since in this small country of 7 million inhabitants four national languages are spoken. It is expected that citizens speak at least two of the national languages, and English is taught from an early age. There are many other bilingual or multilingual countries in the world.
Hotel Management schools in Switzerland are also multicultural. Member schools of ASEH (Association Suisse des Ecoles Hôtelières) teach programs in English, French or German. All schools require their instruction in one Swiss national language as well as English. (list of member schools can be found at www.aseh.ch - homepage "members")
Learn and perfect a language while on internship
Students would also gain additional language skills depending upon which Swiss language region they do their paid internship. Obviously tourists come from many different countries and will always be very pleased to be greeted or helped in their mother tongue. I am sure all readers know how nice it feels to get a welcome in your own language or even dialect.
Swiss trained hospitality managers often speak four languages and therefore get employment and career opportunities all over the world.
Do not forget that the learning of another language helps to better understand foreign culture.
