| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 英語學系 === 96 === The main purpose of this study is to explore the use and the needs of Tourism English for the independent travelers from Taiwan. The subjects of this study were 401 Taiwanese independent travelers, whose ages ranged from twenty to sixty. After the data collection, the subjects’ responses to the questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively.
Based on the data analyses, the findings of the study are summarized as follows:
1. Accommodation, transportation and information centers were the most frequent situations of using Tourism English. Simple sentences were enough for handling the context in which Tourism English was needed. In terms of both special expressions or idioms and speed or accent, nearly half of the subjects found it hard to grasp them.
2. Around half of the subjects agreed that their inadequate knowledge of local culture hindered them from communicating with local people or other travelers. In addition, when misunderstanding occurred, about 60% of the subjects would ask for explanation.
3. Small class teaching and simulation of authentic situations (role-play) were needed for class activities. Accommodation, transportation, and eating were needed for the themes. Watching English TV programs and studying materials with authentic pictures were needed for learning methods.
4. The subjects with higher education levels had more chances to use different language levels and the English of educated native speakers.
5. The subjects having higher education, traveling with company or having the future independent travel plans were more capable of handling language and cultural problems.
6. The subjects with the experiences of Tourism English learning had higher needs for various learning methods than those who didn’t.
On the basis of the study findings, the suggestions are made as follows:
1. The administrators in education, schools and private language centers should include Tourism English in English curriculum design to meet the increasing number of independent travelers.
2. Tourism English should be taught in a simple and practical way as well as in a small class.
3. The English special expressions and idioms (such as slang) as well as the English tone and accent should be emphasized in the English teaching course.
4. Tourism English teaching should include the introduction of different cultures.
5. EFL teachers may design the materials and class activities which meet learners’ practical needs on the basis of the subjects’ needs analysis for Tourism English learning.
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