English Language Proficiency in the Hospitality Industry of Western Ukraine: Pedagogical Challenges and Promises

Abstract

This study measures the English proficiency levels of hospitality workers in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Western Ukraine. It also compares English proficiency levels among hospitality workers in resort areas, urban cities, and rural communities. The authors believe the hospitality industry in the region falls short of its potential due to the rudimentary English language skills of its workers. As sociologist Pierre Bourdieu (1991) has argued, linguistic capital is a form of cultural capital, and this is certainly true in the hospitality industry. Although some language skills improvements have been made in the past decade, many hospitality workers in Western Ukraine, particularly in non-resort areas, do not exhibit even a basic mastery of English. After summarizing the main research findings, recommendations are made regarding possible pedagogical solutions to the current language skills problem. For English proficiency levels to sufficiency improve, curriculum changes will be necessary at the primary, high school, and university levels. University students enrolled in tourism and hospitality programs would also directly benefit from immersion learning opportunities, including on-the-job training abroad. These findings and recommendations have international significance, as hospitality programs everywhere could benefit from the adoption of more proactive and rigorous English language instruction programs.