Investigating English for Specific Purposes Tourism Management Textbooks. Evidence from Iranian ESP Needs Analysis

  • Mahmoud EGHDAMI University of Isfahan, Iran
  • Ahamd MOINZAHEH University of Isfahan, Iran
  • Hossein BARATI University of Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

The current study was an attempt to investigate whether the current textbooks applied in English for Tourism Management courses complied with the standards of such texts in the world-leading universities. In addition, it explored the instructors’ and students’ needs in relation to the quality of the texts. To this end, 5 instructors and 61 students of Tourism Management from four universities were selected. Two questionnaires were administered among the participants in the study. The obtained data were analysed through descriptive and content analysis. The findings revealed that current texts were in line with the standards of the world-leading universities. Concerning the second question, the instructors’ and students’ needs were clarified and discussed. Suggestions for further research were also reported.

References

[1] Afzali, K. and Fakharzade, M. 2009. A Needs Analysis Survey: The Case of Tourism Letter Writing in Iran. ESP World, 1-10. Available at: http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_22/A%20needs%20analysis%20survey.htm
[2] Al-Khatib, M. 2007. English in the Workplace: An Analysis of the communication Needs of Tourism and Banking Personnel. Asian EFL Journal, 7(2): 73-82. Available at: https://www.asian-efl-journal.com/1294/quarterly-journal/2005/06/english-in-the-work-place-an-analysis-of-the-communication-needs-of-tourism-and-banking-personnel/
[3] Anthony, L. 1997. ESP: What does it Mean? Available at: http://interserver.miyazaki-med.ac.jp/~cue/pc/Anthony.htm
[4] Atai, M. R. 2000. ESP revisited: A reappraisal study of disciplined-based EAP programs in Iran. Esfahan: University of Esfahan. Available at: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a0V-tJsAAAAJ&hl=en
[5] Barancic, M. 1998. On Realistic Approaches in ESP Syllabus Design. English for specific purposes, 211-217. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/english-for-specific-purposes/vol/17/issue/3
[6] Brown, J. 1995. The Elements of Language Curriculum: A Systematic Approach to Program Development. New York: Heinle & Heinle Publishers. Available at: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED397672
[7] Cañas, J. and Pérez, L. 2015. Language Needs in Tourism Enterprises. Case Study: The Region ofPallars Sobirà, Catalonia, Spain. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 298-303. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815057237
[8] Daoud, A. and Celce-Murcia, M. 1979. Selecting and Evaluating a Textbook. In M. Celce-Murcia, & L. McIntosh, Teaching English as a second or foreign language (pp. 302-307). Cambridge, MA: Newbury House Publishers.
[9] Domínguez, G. A., and Rokowski, P. E. 2005. Bridging the Gap between English for Academic and Occupational Purposes. ESP World, 22-34. Available at: http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_2/Bridging%20the%20gap%20between%20English%20for%20Academic%20and%20Occupational%20Purposes.html
[10] Dubicka, I., and O’Keeffe, M. 2003. English for International Tourism. Edinburgh Gate, Harlow: Pearson Educated Ltd.
[11] Dudley-Evans, T., and Joe St John, M. 1998. Developments in English for Specific Proposes. Cambridge: CUP.
[12] Eslami Rasekh, A., and Simin, S. 2012. Investigating EAP of Tourism in Iran: a Case Study of Students’ Perception. English for Specific Purposes World, 1-26. Available at: http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_36/Abstract_Shahla_Simin_tourism.htm
[13] Hutchinson, T., and Waters, A. 1987. English for Specific Purposes: A Learning-Centered Approach. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Available at: file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/english-for-specific-purposes-paperback-frontmatter.pdf
[14] Jordan, R. 1997. English for Academic Purposes: A Guide and Resource Book for Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[15] Long, M. H., and Crookes, G. 1992. Three Approaches to Task-Based Syllabus Design. TESOL Quarterly, 27-47. Available at: http://doi.org/10.2307/3587368/full
[16] Masoumpanah, Z., and Tahririan, M. H. 2013. Target Situation Needs Analysis of Hotel Receptionists. English for Specific Purposes World, 1-19. Available at: http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_40/Masoumpanah.pdf
[17] Najafi Sarem, S., Hamidi, H., and Mahmoudie, R. 2013. A Critical Look at Textbook Evaluation: A Case Study of Evaluating an ESP Course-Book: English For International Tourism. International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences, 372380. Available at: http://www.irjabs.com/files_site/paperlist/r_684_130209103353.pdf
[18] Norris, J. M., Brown, J. D., Hudson, T., and Yoshioka, J. 1998. Designing Second Language Performance Assessments. Honolulu, HI: Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center, University of Hawaii Press.
[19] Peacock, M. 2009. The Evaluation of Foreign-Language-Teacher Education Programs. Language Teaching Research, 43-59. Available at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362168809104698
[20] Prachanant, N. 2012. Needs Analysis on English Language Use in Tourism Industry. The 8th International Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) Seminar - Aligning Theoretical (pp. 117 – 125). Thailand: Buriram Rajabhat University. Available at: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.11.253
[21] Richards, J. C. 2001. Curriculum Development in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[22] Simion, M. 2012. The Importance of Teaching English in the Field of Tourism Universities. Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi, 2: 152 – 154. Available at: http://www.utgjiu.ro/revista/ec/pdf/2012-02/23_simion.otilia.pdf
[23] Tudor, I. 1998. Learner-centeredness as Language Education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Published
2018-06-27
How to Cite
EGHDAMI, Mahmoud; MOINZAHEH, Ahamd; BARATI, Hossein. Investigating English for Specific Purposes Tourism Management Textbooks. Evidence from Iranian ESP Needs Analysis. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 9, n. 2, p. 248-254, june 2018. ISSN 2068-7729. Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/2090>. Date accessed: 25 apr. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.14505//jemt.v9.2(26).04.