STATUS AND PROSPECTS ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY
Introduction
Communication is a tool with which we exercise our
influence on others, bring out changes in ourselves and
others, motivate the people around us and establish and
maintain relationships with them. Communication makes
a major part of our active life and is a social activity.
This social activity is pursued verbally through
speech, reading, and writing or non-verbally through
body language. There are many required skills that a
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student s must
possess. One of these skills is the student’s communication
skills which include: Verbal and Non -verbal communication
skills (speaking, gesture and body language), listening skill,
and writing skills (grammar and spelling). It is of great
importance that students must learn these skills for it will
help them be prepared and become more competitive in the
business world. The question is, ‘are the students of the
University of Saint Anthony in Tourism management have the
necessary skills they need in communication?’
Ever since, communication has played a big part in
everyone’s lives. Being able to communicate effectively is
the most important of all life skills. In the tourism industry,
one must be effective with communication. Communication
is vital to the success of tourism businesses. With regards
to communication, there are several issues that could be
linked to it. One of which is the miscommunication between
the tourism service provider and the tourist/customer and
between tourism service provider themselves.
Miscommunication doesn’t only happen in this industry but
also in different life situations. In some countries, there are
concerns for the need to develop their communication skills
specially using the English language . The possible solution
for this is to increase the hours/time for the subject. Giving
more time to the subject means more learning that will be
acquired by the students. To be acquainted with the English
language (the international language) will help different
races from different part of the world understand one
another.
Article VI, Section 18.1 General Education Core of the
CHED memorandum order no. 30 of 2006 states that
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management students must
also take-up the subjects Communication Arts 1,
Communication Arts 2, and Business Communication.
Communication Arts 1 covers the development of
communicative competence in English with emphasis on
effective reading and writing and listening skills. It is
designed to develop language learning strategies, effective
communication techniques, and academic study skills.
Lessons and activities involve development of oral and
written communication skills in different social contexts,
reading skills enhancement, and effective use of reference
and resources. On Communication Arts 2, it is a continuation
of English 1 and covers the development of advanced
language skills in critical thinking and problem solving skills.
It also provides training on goal setting, self-assessment and
monitoring skills, time management strategies, and
communicative competence for general and academic
purposes. Lessons and activities include writing routine and
special business letters and reports as well as oral and
verbal communicative skills. In Business Communication, it
covers the different types of communication used in business
transaction including oral and written forms. Formal styles
of communication and the use of technology in
communication are also covered in the course.
Communication skill is one of the daily needs of an
individual. It enables him to participate in the environment
that he is part of. It creates a harmonious atmosphere where
in everyone is given the right to express themselves,
confident enough that they will be delivering their messages
as to what and how they would like it to be received. Being
able to communicate can lead us to many doors of
opportunities in life. This study aims to evaluate and assess
the skills of the students of the University of Saint Anthony
taking-up Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management in
communication along: verbal, non-verbal, and listening
skills. Also the study seeks to determine the problems
encountered by the students that could possibly contribute
in developing an output which is a syllabus that will guide
them to improve and develop their communication skills to
help that will make them a globally competitive graduate.
Conclusion
From the foregoing findings the following conclusions were made:
- Eighty-eight percent of the respondents were female and dominated the whole population with 58 in number and more than half were between 18 – 19 years old. Most of the students finished their high school in a private school.
- The communication skills of the students necessitate for demanding more improvements for they fall under the scale of three in the findings. Communication skills are moderately difficult and that they lack motivation and practice in communicating.
- The students have difficulties in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and in nonverbal communication.
- The students preferred class discussion, panel discussion, question and answer session and demonstration followed by reports of group in order to enhance their communication skills.
Researchers
- Florencio P. Arabe
- Cherryl Bonnevie
- Rey Cañada
- Rey Rodriguez