A major goal was that the teachers get familiar with curricula, processes, conditions and trends in other European institutes close to the major inland waterways, especially near the rivers rhine and danube in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France and other European nighbours. For this purpose deepened knowledge of the English language focussing on specific terminology is needed as a standardised vocabulary on European basis is worked on. Therefore it was very important that all teachers teaching in the field of biligual education constantly work on their professional and language competences. Furthermore the cooperation with European partners in the field of inland navigation makes it necessary that all teachers are continously involved in European exchange programms to ensure the relevance of their lessons.
As inland navigation does not stop at national borders and the spprentices of "Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN" travel on all waterways from the Black Sea to the North Sea, Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN - in contrast to other vocational colleges - must compete constantly with other European institutions. The teachers must be qualified - on a professional level as well as in language - to ensure our position as an attractive partner in the field of inland navigation and offer the best possible qualification for the European market to our apprentices. Therefore there is a special need that teachers are continously "up to date", which can be ensured by a constant European cooperation.