Credit: HORESCA

On Tuesday 20 October 2026, HORESCA, the National Federation of Hoteliers, Restaurateurs and Café Owners of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, announced it has launched an introductory Luxembourgish language course for Horeca staff.

As part of the “Dat ass Lëtzebuergesch” campaign, HORESCA has launched the introductory course “Lëtzebuergesch: Éischt Schrëtt”, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and in cooperation with the Luxembourg School of Hospitality and Tourism (EHTL) and the National Institute of Languages Luxembourg (INLL). 

During a three-hour session, professionals from the hotel, restaurant and café sectors take their first steps in Luxembourgish. Sessions are scheduled until the end of January 2027, at EHTL in Diekirch and at the EHTL South Campus, at GRIDX in Wickrange.

HORESCA said: “Moien! Wéi geet et Iech? Äddi! Wann ech gelift! Villmools Merci! A few words in Luxembourgish are often enough to change the tone of an interaction with a customer. This is the starting point for this introductory course, designed for teams in the hotel, restaurant and café sectors, particularly international staff working in the industry.”

The sessions are delivered by EHTL, with educational support from INLL. The course is offered free of charge to HORESCA members as part of the services the federation provides to its affiliated establishments.

“Luxembourgish thrives above all through everyday interactions, and few places encourage encounters as much as our hotels, restaurants and cafés. This collaboration with HORESCA enables those who work in these establishments, wherever they come from, to take their first steps in Luxembourgish. It therefore helps strengthen the presence of Luxembourgish in everyday life, while encouraging interaction and social cohesion. Every word exchanged creates a connection, and it is these connections that keep our language alive,” said Eric Thill, Luxembourg Minister of Culture.

Learning through movement

HORESCA detailed that participants learn according to the principles of the active Moving Languages method, developed by INLL, in which movement, games, simulations and interaction become learning tools. This language workshop links spoken language to professional gestures.

Over three hours, learners practise welcoming and greeting customers, introducing themselves, and asking and understanding simple questions. They leave with the essential vocabulary for their daily working lives, tailored to the group’s profile, from reception to housekeeping. The Horeca module has been refined by EHTL teachers in collaboration with INLL experts.

A short format, a deliberate choice

The association said that feedback from the first participants has been positive and several have already expressed a desire to continue.

“We deliberately opted for a short format. The aim is not to learn a language in a single afternoon, but to enable as many people as possible to leave with useful words they can use with customers as soon as the following day. Three hours is a short time, and that is precisely what makes it possible for everyone to take the first step. For those who want to go further, INLL courses then provide the next stage,” explained Steve Martellini, Managing Director of HORESCA.

HORESCA member employers can take part themselves or register their employees, managers or senior executives directly for the session of their choice. Each session accommodates a maximum of twelve participants, with the group size designed to encourage interaction.

Sessions take place on Mondays at EHTL in Diekirch and on Tuesdays at EHTL – South Campus, at GRIDX in Wickrange, from 14:00 to 17:00, until the end of January 2027, excluding school holidays. 

Registration is available online at horesca.lu/letzebuergesch and remains open until three days before each session.