Student’s Perception of the Use of English in Internship Programs: Real-life Reflections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25047/ijossh.v2i2.6677Keywords:
English, internship programs, student’s perception, front officeAbstract
Internship programs are expected to give many benefits to the students with the real-work experience. For students from English department, this program will be a perfect time to practice and sharpen their English proficiency as well as their capabilities in interacting and communicating with other. This recent study is trying to elicit and elaborate the students’ perspectives toward the use of English during their internship programs. A qualitative case study method was used in this research by interviewing two students who had finished doing internship program in international resorts. Moreover, their internship journal reports were used as secondary data to complete the interview. Then, the analysis of the data was done using thematic analysis. The analysis of the findings has revealed four themes regarding with their opinions on: (1) real-life English use, (2) communication challenges and strategies, (3) gaps between classroom instruction and workplace realities, and (4) suggestions in English instruction.
References
Basturkmen, H. (2022). Current trends in ESP research in the Asia Pacific region. World Englishes, 41(4), 512–522. https://doi.org/10.1111/weng.12601
Basturkmen, H. (2025). Core Concepts in English for Specific Purposes. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009376723
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2023). Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher. International Journal of Transgender Health, 24(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597
Farrell, T. S. C. (2022). Reflective Practice in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009028783
Feak, C. B., & Chan, C. S. C. (2025). ESP and Speaking. In The Handbook of English for Specific Purposes (pp. 31–51). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119985068.ch2
Hancock, D. R., Algozzine, B., & Lim, J. H. (2021). Doing case study research: A practical guide for beginning researchers.
Islam, W., Ahmad, S., & Islam, M. D. (2022). Investigating the Problems Faced by the University EFL Learners in Speaking English Language. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(2), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.22223
Ismail, J. Bin, Chik, C. T., & Hemdi, M. A. (2021). TVET Graduate Employability: Mismatching Traits Between Supply and Demand. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(13), 223–243. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i13/8522
Jenkins, J. (2015). Repositioning English and multilingualism in English as a Lingua Franca. Englishes in Practice, 2(3), 49–85. https://doi.org/10.1515/eip-2015-0003
Kijpoonphol, W., & Linh, N. D. (2021). Needs of front office staff’s English communication skills. Journal of Thai Hospitality and Tourism, 16(1), 92–105. https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tourismtaat/article/view/148487
Lertchalermtipakoon, P., Wongsubun, U., & Kawinkoonlasate, P. (2021). Need Analysis: English Language Use by Students in the Tourism and Hospitality and Industry. English Language Teaching, 14(3), 59–71.
Lestari, D., Ekasani, K. A., Supartini, N. L., & Sulasmini, N. M. A. (2025). An Innovative Method of Teaching English for Hospitality: A Case in Bali Tourism College, Indonesia. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 16(1), 324–334. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1601.34
Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203822296
Putra, I. N. T. D., & Mulyawan, U. (2024). Problems and Challenges in Designing ESP Course for Hospitality and Tourism Students of STP Mataram. Jo-ELT (Journal of English Language Teaching) Fakultas Pendidikan Bahasa & Seni Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris IKIP, 11(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.33394/jo-elt.v11i1.11329
Rinda, R. K., Indrastana, N. S., Ismailia, T., Parangu, K. A., & Wicaksono, J. A. (2022). An Analysis of Types and Functions of Speaking Used by the Internships Students. Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature, 14(2), 464. https://doi.org/10.36841/pioneer.v14i2.2149
Seyitoglu, F., & Yüzbaşioglu, N. (2015). The Role of Strategic Communication in Hospitality Industry “The Case of Antalya.” Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(2), 16. https://doi.org/10.5296/jsss.v2i2.6526
Thu, N. (2020). Communication skills and reflection practice in smart english teaching and learning environment: A case study. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (IJET), 15(17), 221–237. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/218024/
Tiansoodeenon, M., Rungruangsuparat, B., & Tarapond, S. (2023). Investigating the needs and challenges with regard to English communicative competencies in the Thai hospitality industry. Journal of Contemporary Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(2), 69–80. https://so12.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jcsh/article/view/3280
Vo, N. T., Le, L. H. P., & Lam, V. T. T. (2022). Challenges for Student Satisfaction of Internship Program in Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Vietnam. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 23(5), 1298–1324. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2021.1964414
Widodo, H. P. (2016). Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP): English for Vocational Purposes (EVP). In English language teaching today: Linking theory and practice (pp. 277–291). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38834-2_19
Worawong, K., Charttrakul, K., & Damnet, A. (2017). Promoting Intercultural Competence of Thai University Students through Role-Play. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 8(6), 37. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.8n.6p.37

