Impact of Fieldwork on Students’ English Communication in Hospitality Services

Authors

Muh Yahya Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar
Firda Rahmayanti Politeknik Negeri Balikpapan
Adita Taufik Widianto Tourism School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
Masri Ridwan Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46870/lets.v6i2.1556

Keywords:

Field Practice, English Communication, Tourism Services, Experiential Learning

Abstract

Although English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a key component of tourism education, limited research has examined how fieldwork experience impacts students’ English communication in real service settings. This study investigates the extent to which field practice improves English proficiency and service readiness among students at Makassar Tourism Polytechnic. Using a quantitative approach, data were gathered through questionnaires and analyzed using validity and reliability tests, a t-test, and R² analysis. Results show that fieldwork has a significant positive effect on students’ service readiness (t = 4.673; p = 0.001), with an R² value of 0.797 indicating that 79.7% of the variance is explained by field practice. The findings suggest that structured field experiences significantly enhance students’ English communication skills and professional competence. The study recommends integrating experiential and reflective learning into tourism curricula to better align academic training with industry needs.

References

Arcodia, C., Abreu Novais, M., Cavlek, N., & Humpe, A. (2021). Educational tourism and experiential learning: Students’ perceptions of field trips. Tourism Review, 76(1), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-05-2019-0155

Azanza, G., Fernández-Villarán, A., & Goytia, A. (2022). Enhancing learning in tourism education by combining learning by doing and team coaching. Education Sciences, 12(8), 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12080548

Beaudin, B., & Quick, D. (1995). Experiential learning: Theoretical underpinnings. Colorado State University.

Ho, Y. Y. C. (2020). Communicative language teaching and English as a foreign language undergraduates’ communicative competence in tourism English. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 27, 100271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2020.100271

Croft, C., & Wang, W. (2023). Hospitality and tourism experiential learning combined with interdisciplinary learning. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2023.2295549

Cuic Tankovic, A., Kapeš, J., & Benazić, D. (2023). Measuring the importance of communication skills in tourism. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 36(1), 1978–1992. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2077790

Danial, M., Nurhaeni, Farhanuddin, Nila, S., & Fajriani. (2023). Exploring English learning on non-formal education as an effort to enhance students speaking ability. LETS: Journal of Linguistics and English Teaching Studies, 5(1), 35–46.

Demirdelen Alrawadieh, D. (2023). Cross-cultural aspects of tourism and hospitality: A services marketing and management perspective. Annals of Leisure Research, 26(2), 270–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2021.1938158

Fatmawati, I., & Olga, F. (2023). Investigating the determining factors of tourist revisit intention in a natural-based tourism destination. E3S Web of Conferences, 444, 01014. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202344401014

Fitria, T. N. (2020). Teaching English for specific purposes (ESP) to the students in English language teaching (ELT). JET Adi Buana, 5(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.36456/jet.v5.n01.2020.2276

Garg, A., Singh, A., & Yanan, J. (2024). Exploring the impact of digital detoxification on higher education students’ learning. In Business drivers in promoting digital detoxification (pp. 121–136). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/9798369311073.ch008

Gazi, M. A. I., Yusof, M. F., Islam, M. A., Amin, M. B., & Senathirajah, A. R. S. (2024). Analyzing the impact of employee job satisfaction on their job behavior in the industrial setting: An analysis from the perspective of job performance. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(4), 100427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100427

Ghozali, I. (2018). Aplikasi analisis multivariate dengan program IBM SPSS 25. Universitas Diponegoro.

Govindasamy, P., Cumming, T. M., & Abdullah, N. (2024). Validity and reliability of a needs analysis questionnaire for the development of a creativity module. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 24(3), 197–209. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12659

Hurn, B. J., & Tomalin, B. (2013). Cross-cultural communication: Theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230391147

Jose, S., Patrick, P. G., & Moseley, C. (2017). Experiential learning theory: The importance of outdoor classrooms in environmental education. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 7(3), 275–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2016.1272144

Kolb, A. Y., & Kolb, D. A. (2022). Experiential learning theory as a guide for experiential educators in higher education. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 1(1), 7–44. https://doi.org/10.46787/elthe.v1i1.3362

Kul, E., Dedeoğlu, B. B., Küçükergin, F. N., De Martino, M., & Okumus, F. (2024). The role of tour guide competency in the cultural tour experience: The case of Cappadocia. International Hospitality Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/ihr-04-2023-0021

Lantu, D. C., Suharto, Y., Fachira, I., Permatasari, A., & Anggadwita, G. (2022). Experiential learning model: Improving entrepreneurial values through internship program at start-ups. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 12(1), 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-01-2021-0014

Li, B., Kou, X., & Bonk, C. J. (2023). Embracing the disrupted language teaching and learning field: Analyzing YouTube content creation related to ChatGPT. Languages, 8(3), 197. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8030197

Liu, F., He, Q., & Wu, N. (2022). Factors influencing students’ career intentions in the hospitality and tourism industries: A meta-analysis. Behavioral Sciences, 12(12), 487. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12120517

Liu, J., Yuan, L., Li, M., Li, S. J., Sun, Y., & Yuan, J. (2024). Ecological experiential learning and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior intentions: The mediating roles of awe and nature connection. Heliyon, 10(1), e23410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23410

Liu, L. C. H. (2021). Influence of learning and internship satisfaction on students’ intentions to stay at their current jobs: Survey of students participating in Taiwan’s dual education system. Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training, 13(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40461-021-00121-3

Mulyadi, D., Singh, C. K. S., Setiawan, A., & Prasetyanti, D. C. (2023). Technology-enhanced task-based language teaching toward their self-directed language learning: ESP learners’ views. Studies in English Language and Education, 10(3), 673–690. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v10i3.27910

Nazeer, I., Ahmad, T., Baseerat, I., & Fatima, N. (2023). The role of ESP in enhancing English language skills for English teachers. Asian Innovative Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(3), 10–22.

Newman, S., & Latifi, A. (2021). Vygotsky, education, and teacher education. Journal of Education for Teaching, 47(1), 38–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2020.1831375

Purwanto, E., Shahreza, M., Oktarina, S., El Yana, K., & Rahmah, A. (2023). Developing life skills through effective communication. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, 39(1), 81–91. https://doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v39.1.5412

Răcăşan, B. S. (2021). Fieldwork for students in tourism programmes: Is it more tourism than learning? In European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2021.03.02.35

Radović, S., Hummel, H. G. K., & Vermeulen, M. (2021). The challenge of designing ‘more’ experiential learning in higher education programs in the field of teacher education: A systematic review study. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 40(5–6), 493–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2021.1994664

Reith-Hall, E., & Montgomery, P. (2023). Communication skills training for improving the communicative abilities of student social workers: A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 19(1), e1309. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1309

Ruslan, S., Mohamad, S. F., Juhari, N. H., & Abdul Karim, M. S. (2021). Article review: Internship satisfaction determinants among undergraduates in the service industry. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 11(1), 152–166. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijhrs.v11i1.17669

Sarifa, N., & Jabeen, R. (2024). Challenges and predicaments in teaching “English for Science” in an ESP classroom: A research study to pinpoint problems and solutions. International Journal of English Language Teaching, 12(1), 75–89. https://doi.org/10.37745/ijelt.13/vol12n18089

Sasabone, L., Jubhari, Y., Sukmawati, & Sujarwo. (2021). The implementation of English for specific purposes (ESP) in improving students’ speaking skill of UKI Paulus Makassar. EDULEC: Education, Language and Culture Journal, 1(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.56314/edulec.v1i1.1

Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2009). Research method for business textbook: A skill building approach. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Seyitoğlu, F., & Yirik, S. (2015). Internship satisfaction of students of hospitality and impact of internship on the professional development and industrial perception. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 20(1), 56–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2014.983532

Sierra, J. J., & McQuitty, S. (2005). Service providers and customers: Social exchange theory and service loyalty. Journal of Services Marketing, 19(6), 392–400. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040510620166

Statistics Solutions. (2017). Mann-Whitney U test - Statistics Solutions. Complete Dissertation.

Sugiyono. (2020). Metode penelitian kuantitatif, kualitatif, dan kombinasi (mixed methods). Alfabeta.

Syukriah, M. E. A., Pande, J. S., & Kamariah, N. (2023). Application of agile marketing vocational higher education at the Politeknik Negeri Pariwisata Makassar. Jurnal Ad'ministrare, 10(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.26858/ja.v10i1.40171

Taber, K. S. (2018). The use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2

Tomasi, S., Paviotti, G., & Cavicchi, A. (2020). Educational tourism and local development: The role of universities. Sustainability, 12(17), 6766. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176766

Tuncdogan, A. (2021). Book review of Koc, E. (2020). Cross-Cultural Aspects of Tourism and Hospitality. ISBN 978-0-367-862893, Routledge: New York & London, 370 pp. European Journal of Tourism Research, 30, 1–3. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v30i.2315

Usoh, E. J., Lambey, L., Ohyver, D. A., Rompas, P. T. D., Runtuwene, J. P. A., & Rampengan, M. M. F. (2020). Tourism vocational education versus tourism industry. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Social Science, Political Science, and Humanities (ICoSPOLHUM). https://doi.org/10.5220/0009013404880494

Wang, J., Gill, C., & Lee, K. H. (2023). Effective mentoring in a work-integrated learning (WIL) program. Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism, 23(1), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2022.2056561

Wang, W., Rezaei, Y. M., & Izadpanah, S. (2024). Speaking accuracy and fluency among EFL learners: The role of creative thinking, emotional intelligence, and academic enthusiasm. Heliyon, 10(18), e37620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37620

Wang, Y., Gao, Y., & Faraj, R. (2023). Cross-cultural aspects of tourism and hospitality: A services marketing and management perspective. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 21(5), 552–569. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2022.2087349

Yang, S. C., & Chen, Y. J. (2007). Technology-enhanced language learning: A case study. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(1), 860–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2006.02.015

Yim, E. P. Y. (2023). Self-efficacy for learning beliefs in collaborative contexts: Relations to pre-service early childhood teachers’ vicarious teaching self-efficacy. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1210664. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1210664

Yin, S., Fan, J., Jin, Y., & Stapleton, P. (2024). Towards a framework of critical thinking for assessing EAP speaking. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 71, 101426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2024.101426

Zheng, Y., Zhang, J., Li, Y., Wu, X., Ding, R., Luo, X., Liu, P., & Huang, J. (2024). Effects of digital game-based learning on students’ digital etiquette literacy, learning motivations, and engagement. Heliyon, 10(1), e23490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23490

Zopiatis, A., Papadopoulos, C., & Theofanous, Y. (2021). A systematic review of literature on hospitality internships. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 28, 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100309