[openmind]

Hi, I'm preparing an English communication program for hotel employees and I want to offer them something unique. For example, we have been running a review of their websites so they might be able to attract more English speaking guests and customers.
Do you have any additional suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Torsten

[Eric]

Quote openmind

For example, we have been running a review of their websites so they might be able to attract more English speaking guests and customers.

im confused, how is that going to help them speak better English.

Anyway, i teach in the tourism department at a college and a few of my classes are hotel classes.

this semester i am using First Class: English For Tourism. its ok, though not entirely about hotel language. it really focuses on using polite/formal speech so if thats your focus, it'd be really good for that.

i've also used Workplace English: Office File. this book is more general in its content but good for language that will come up in the hotel, restaurant, office, airport, etc...

for hotel students its good to be aware of language that is used outside of the hotel like at the airport and restaurant because guest will usually be asking questions about those things as well.

that being said, i haven't found a book im completely satisfied with that strictly deals with hotel language.

Bellhop Eric

[openmind]

Quote Eric

im confused, how is that going to help them speak better English.

Well, Eric those people are not just 'students' or 'pupils' in the conventional sense of the word. They are business people who are trying to attract more English speaking guests. If you run a hotel or any tourist oriented business, you can only grow and spend money on 'English classes' if you actually are able to attract this target market. So why not provide them with tools and ideas in this area too?

[cantodeluar]

Hi!
I'm teaching ESP (Hotel and Turism industry) for Teens, my students are between 16 to 24 years old. I pick up somethings from Higly Recomended (OUP) and may I help you? (Longman).
I ca'nt ask my students to buy the book, becouse it's a project for Public School students.
If someone has new ideasn and some worksheets, os games with the Hotel and Turism vocabulary please tell me!
Thanks and hugs

[DaveESL]

Hi. I'm teaching English for tourism at a college in China, and for my students the biggest issues is getting them to actually use the language they already know. I've found that roleplays are a good way to get them to speak. I try to bring conflict into them, too, both to give them an increased amount of language practice (things end too quickly if you just agree) and to give them practice with different types of emotional intonation.

I've just started podcasting about my class (ESL etc.) and I've got some materials up at that site as well. I don't have a relevant textbook - we're using a very mediocre Chinese book called Challenge to Speak.

I've been trying to take a task-based approach - focusing on having students practice using the language they will actually need in their jobs, roleplaying situations, etc. I'm new to English for tourism, though, and I'm sure I'll figure more stuff out as I go.

Hope this helps!
Dave

ESL etc. - Bringing global issues and activism into language teaching.

[emile]

You could also review the signage in the hotels. Travelling around Asia, I've seen some awful even bizarre signs even in four star hotels.

[DaveESL]

I like that idea. I just went to a national park with my students and found the signs very entertaining. I took pictures of a bunch of them so that I can talk about them in class next week.

[cantodeluar]

Where can I find these signs on the internet? Do you have the adresses?....
I realy like to use this sings to creat new situations...
Thanks

[michèle 2]

[I've found that roleplays are a good way to get them to speak.
I agree. Role plays are the best way to make people speak. in this areas it won't be difficult to make some.
good luck!

[keyumin]

I am also teaching hotel English, and would love some advice. In addition, I am a PhD researching interested in doing my research on hotels in Beijing in September. So, if any of you out there are in Beijing, let me know! I would love to meet up, hear about your experiences, and share some lesson plans!

Thanks!
Jaime

[Be My Guest]

I am the author of Be My Guest, English for the hotel industry, published by Cambridge University Press in 2002.

It has proved to be very successful, worldwide. It is for false beginner to pre-intermediate students and those in service already, and every word in it is one a student/hotel worker will need to say, hear, read or write in his or her hotel work. It is very job oriented.

Please see:

Be-My-Guest , The International course for the Hotel Industry

Or contact me directly at: francis@be-my-guest.net

Good luck,
Francis O'Hara
author of Be My Guest, English for the hotel industry.

[Hospeng]

Quote openmind

Hi, I'm preparing an English communication program for hotel employees and I want to offer them something unique. For example, we have been running a review of their websites so they might be able to attract more English speaking guests and customers.
Do you have any additional suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Torsten

Hi Openmind

How's it going with your program? I must do the same for Asian staff. Any advice you can give me?

[Hospeng]

Quote Be My Guest

I am the author of Be My Guest, English for the hotel industry, published by Cambridge University Press in 2002.

It has proved to be very successful, worldwide. It is for false beginner to pre-intermediate students and those in service already, and every word in it is one a student/hotel worker will need to say, hear, read or write in his or her hotel work. It is very job oriented.

Please see:

Be-My-Guest , The International course for the Hotel Industry

Or contact me directly at: francis@be-my-guest.net

Good luck,
Francis O'Hara
author of Be My Guest, English for the hotel industry.

Hi Francis

It sounds like a good book to use but I can't open the link.

[Jaynew]

Hiya, I need a bit of help as well. I have been asked to do an English course for a hotel in France where I live. I don't actually teach english yet but they have specifically asked if I can do it as they want an english native!! Easier said than done when you aren't sure of what you're supposed to do. Basically, I know they want 25 hours of training, including general receptionnist tasks, emails, telephone calls, directions etc. Can anyone tell me the right way to make up a 25 hour lesson plan to present to them - what info do I need to put into it etc ie objectives, target language. I have just started a TEFL course as living in France, my english is a big bonus. However, I don't yet know how to organise a course plan and in what order to do things. Any help much appreciated.

[jdlanguageservices]

Hello Openmind,
In the Penguin Books 'Test your Business English' series there is a hotel and catering edition by Alison Pohl, which I highly recommend. It's got all the vocab they will need and lots of activities such as crosswords etc.
In addition throw in lots of dynamic activities. Hospitality offers numerous opportunities for role plays, telephone activities and so on.
I'm sure you could also find some fun things to do with a few episodes of 'Fawlty Towers'.