Increasing competences in foreign language teaching at our school At our school, a high school with language emphasis, there is, according to our development plan (school quality of general education - SQA) a focus on competence centred, up-to-date foreign language teaching. This is essential with regard to the new standardized school-leaving examination as well as the modular upper stage system (NOST).This project aims at the implementation of the experience and knowledge gained in the native countries in the teaching of foreign languages (English, Business English and Italian). The students should benefit considerably from the newly gained insights into cultural, linguistic and educational developments and skills and their interest and the curiosity in other EU Member States should be aroused. The fellow-teachers, in particular those teaching English or Italian, as well as the entire staff of our school will be informed about the content of the courses (multiplier effect).The three applicants are long-term teachers of foreign languages (English and Italian). They also teach the subjects PE and German.Planned activities are language courses (English for teachers, Corso per insegnanti) and culture courses in the UK and Italy.A procedure for the implementation of the project has already been started with information given on behalf of our headmaster Mr. Waser and with talks and discussions among the school community Committee and the SQA. The application was amply considered and justified with future challenges in language teaching.The intended skills and competences should be incorporated into the new oral Matura, the modular upper stage system as well as in the teaching of foreign languages as compulsory and optional subjects. The significance of communication in foreign languages is thus emphasized. Likewise, the importance of language learning and cultural understanding in the EU-context will be evident to the students. Competence-oriented updated foreign language teaching is expected as a long-term benefit for the learners at our school.