operations, among others, should focus on the guest, emphasize high – touch instead of just high – tech and encourage changes, as well as innovation. So the
very first one in charge of showing the ‘high–touch’ is the reception staff. They bear the responsibility to make a good first impression as well show their
hospitality to guests. In teaching the English to hotel reception staff, the most suitable
materials for hotel employees are English for Specific Purposes. ESP for hotel employees only deals with English for tourism and hospitality field. It helps them
learn how to use particular expressions related to their field, and actively use them
in a communication. 2.
English for Specific Purposes
People’s needs and purposes in learning the English are varied. For hotel reception staff, for example, the English used is different from which is used
by hotel chefs, etc. This leads to the development of ESP which is expected to suit people’s specific needs.
a. Definition of ESP
Hutchinson and Waters 1987: 18 argue that ESP is not a language methodology which teaches specialised varieties of English and consists of a
specific type of learning materials but it is an approach to language learning which is based on learners’ needs. Further, Robinson 1991: 3 defines ESP based on
two criteria: 1 ESP is normally ‘goal–directed, and 2 ESP courses develop from a needs analysis which aim to specify what exactly it is that sudents have to do
through the medium of English, and a characteristics which explain that ESP
courses are generally constrained by a limited time period in which their objectives have to be achieved and are taught to adults in homogenous classes in
term of the work or specialist studies that the students are involved in. Due to the topics or themes, ESP is commonly conducted in vocational schools such as,
tourism schools, medical schools, musical schools, etc. Based on theories above, English Specific Purposes can be defined as a
‘goal–directed’ approach to language teaching and learning commonly involved in English Language Teaching processes. It significally differs from the English for
General Purposes in terms of topics and themes presented since its aim is to fulfill learners’ specific needs.
b. Reasons for Using ESP
What distinguishes ESP from other forms of language teaching is the awareness of the learners’ needs. Hutchinson and Waters 1987: 53 find that the
awareness of learning needs has an influence on the content of a language course and will exploit what is potential for the learners. Therefore, ESP embeds a
learner–centered approach which sees that language learners have different needs and interests. This approach is believed to make the learners be more motivated
and it leads to an effectiveness of language learning. Hutchinson and Waters 1987: 6 draw three main reasons of the
emergence of ESP course.
