Analyzing the Training and Internship Needs Assessment of Verbal Communication Skills amongst Hotel Practitioners

Abstract

There is a need to expose the learners in the hospitality industry to real workplace requirement in terms of communication skills. In view of its importance, human resource managers, researchers and educators in the field of hospitality management or the hotel practitioners have to pay more serious attention to it. Thus, it is pertinent that both employers and potential employees have a consensus on what are to be instilled in the learners as this would prepare them for the actual hotel reception practices which in particular are the verbal communication skills. A needs analysis in the form of a questionnaire, distributed to the hotel managers and the interns involved help to identify the verbal communication skills that the interns require. These findings will also assist the curriculum designers in producing future hotel management professionals that can function effectively at their workplace.

Analysis of the English Language Needs of the Saudi Tourism Workforce: A First Step into Designing ESP Teaching Materials

“…With regard to the listening skills, understanding requirements, complaints, instructions and phone calls were considered to be of high importance for the participants. This result is similar to the result found by Rahim and Tazijan (2011) and Yasmin et al (2016) whose participants were working in the hospitality business. Although accented and fast speech were among the obstacles faced by the participants in studies by Bobanovic and Grzinic (2011) and Fujita (2020), the participants in the current study did not place a high level of importance on understanding the major English accents.…”

“…The current study focuses on the third type (wants) because there are no previous studies examining the needs or language proficiency of the Saudi tourism workforce. Several studies have examined the language needs of professionals working in the tourism industry in other countries (Al-Khatib, 2005;Blue & Harun, 2003;Bobanovic & Grzinic, 2011;Davies, 2000;Prachanant, 2012;Rahim & Tazijan, 2011;Yasmin et al, 2016). However, needs analysis should focus on the needs of a specific community of learners and their learning context (Anthony, 2018;Maswana & Tajino, 2020).…”

“…Accented and fast speech and inadequate vocabulary were among the communication difficulties they faced during their communications. Rahim and Tazijan (2011) asked a number of managers and interns working in hotels in Penang in Malaysia about their oral communication needs. Answering customers' enquires and requests were found to be highly relevant and important for their profession.…”

“…A stakeholders' needs analysis is a prerequisite for developing curriculum or materials for teaching English for specific or occupational purposes. A few studies have examined the English language communicative needs in the tourism profession in various contexts (Al-Khatib, 2005;Blue & Harun, 2003;Bobanovic & Grzinic, 2011;Crystal, 2003;Fujita, 2020;Rahim & Tazijan, 2011). To tailor the teaching materials to meet the needs of a specific population, it is necessary to consider the learners' local context (Anthony, 2018).…”

Challenges in Establishing Vocational Skills in Tahfiz Curriculum at Malaysian Tahfiz Centre

“…Technical and vocational fields emphasise knowledge and skills as well as provide good employment opportunities to young adults. Recognising the importance of knowledge and skills in the workforce in Malaysia, the education system is seen to meet the commercial and industry needs and produce a workforce that is capable and innovative, productive and skilled (Rahim et al, 2011;Zahari et al, 2010). In line with current demands, the Department of Technical Education has revised the vocational stream curriculum.…”