An Assessment of the English Language Needs of Tourist Guide Students and the Language Course Materials at Catering Tourism Training Institute (CTTI) and Lion Ethiopia Tourism and Hotel College (LETHC)
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Date
2010-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the English language needs of tourist guide students
and to evaluate the suitability of the English language teaching materials used in meeting
the students needs at CTTI (Catering Tourism Training Institute) and LETHC (Lion Ethiopia
Tourism and Hotel College). For this purpose, a total of 61 students out of which 29 third year
students of CTTI and 31 second year students of LETHC were included in the study. Moreover,
two English language instructors, four subject area instructors, one employer, two tour
coordinators and three tourist guides were also source of data for the study. In order to
achieve the data for the study, questionnaire, structured interview, focus group discussion
and text analysis were used.
The findings of the study indicated that among the four macro skills of the language,
listening and speaking skills were identified as significantly (P<0.01) difficult for the students
of both educational centers. The result also indicated that, the students of both educational
centers significantly (P<0.01) prefer to improve these language skills than the others.
Regarding the students’ academic English language needs, the study revealed listening skill
as the most prerequisite language skill that the students of both educational centers need in
order to learn their subject area studies followed by speaking, writing and reading skills. The
findings of the study also identified speaking and listening skills as the most important
language skills for the students ’future occupation followed by writing and reading skills.
Moreover, with regard to the appropriateness of the English language teaching materials
used in meeting the students English language needs, the study revealed the inadequacy of
Grade 11 and 12 English language text books in addressing tourist guide students needs.
According to the findings of the study, these language teaching materials were not
developed based on the existing syllabus for travel and tourism and give more emphasis to
those language skills that the students consider as least important.
Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that English language teaching
materials should be developed for tourist guide students based on the existing syllabus and
by taking into account the students English language needs and difficulties.
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Keywords
English Language Needs of Tourist Guide Students