Needs Analysis on English for Vocational Purpose for Students of Hospitality Department

Abstract

Needs analysis occupies a primary role in developing the curriculum, syllabus and the teaching materials of English for vocational purposes (EVP). This study aims to recognize the needs (linguistic, functions, learning preferences and problems of learning) of vocational English for the students of hospitality department. Development research method was used to carry out this study by involving 105 Hospitality students, 2 English teachers as well as 21 hospitality employees. Questionnaires were distributed to obtain data about the needs. The data were then analyzed by frequency, percentage, as well as mean scores. The findings indicated four primary needs inventory. The first, speaking is dominantly selected as the most important skills to learn, then writing, reading and listening skills. The second, the most important language functions to learn in terms of vocational English for hospitality were Using telephone, giving and receiving guests, dealing guests’ requests, describing hotel facilities, asking for repeats, responding to the guests’ complain and offering help. The third, the most relevant learning preferences were warming up, games and work in pairs. The forth, problems of learning English included inability to use appropriate words and expressions, inadequate vocabulary, lack of grammar knowledge and insufficient knowledge of the topics. Based on the results achieved from this study, it can be proposed that revisions in the current English teaching materials for the students of hospitality department at Vocational high School 2 Pangkep seem to be necessary, to offer more reliable and effective EVP courses.