International Internships, Language Competency, and Employability: Perceptions of and Gaps Between Students and Industry Stakeholders

Mei-jung Sebrina Wang

Makale detayları

International Internships, Language Competency, and Employability: Perceptions of and Gaps Between Students and Industry Stakeholders

Yazarlar:

Mei-jung Sebrina Wang

Yayıncı:

Akdeniz University

Ana Başlıklar:

Tourism (Other)

Dergi:

Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.371-391

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2023

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297970

pISSN:

2147-9100

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This study systematically reviewed enhanced employability and language competency in the context of international hospitality internships. A multi-method research design was applied to analyze the perceptions of student interns and industry practitioners. Research methods included a questionnaire, interviews with practitioners, and focus group meetings with students. The quantitative techniques used were importance-performance analysis IPA and stepwise regression analysis, and the qualitative approach used was thematic analysis. Results showed that both groups perceptions of employability were closely aligned, though gaps existed regarding perceptions of language competency: practitioners felt interns should improve language competency to strengthen employability; conversely, students perceived their language competency as adequate and emphasized their progress. The analysis also indicated that stress management skills and innovation capabilities significantly impacted students willingness to remain in the industry. Educators are advised to make joint efforts with hospitality practitioners to help students in improving language competency, communication abilities, and professional knowledge, with the aim of increasing retention rates; as for students, they are advised to partake in language practice that is more interactive and grounded in contextually-relevant content, in order to enhance their professional knowledge and competencies, and to aid them in better navigating the international workplace.

 This study systematically reviewed enhanced employability and language competency in the context of international hospitality internships. A multi-method research design was applied to analyze the perceptions of student interns and industry practitioners. Research methods included a questionnaire, interviews with practitioners, and focus group meetings with students. The quantitative techniques used were importance-performance analysis IPA and stepwise regression analysis, and the qualitative approach used was thematic analysis. Results showed that both groups perceptions of employability were closely aligned, though gaps existed regarding perceptions of language competency: practitioners felt interns should improve language competency to strengthen employability; conversely, students perceived their language competency as adequate and emphasized their progress. The analysis also indicated that stress management skills and innovation capabilities significantly impacted students willingness to remain in the industry. Educators are advised to make joint efforts with hospitality practitioners to help students in improving language competency, communication abilities, and professional knowledge, with the aim of increasing retention rates; as for students, they are advised to partake in language practice that is more interactive and grounded in contextually-relevant content, in order to enhance their professional knowledge and competencies, and to aid them in better navigating the international workplace.

 This study systematically reviewed enhanced employability and language competency in the context of international hospitality internships. A multi-method research design was applied to analyze the perceptions of student interns and industry practitioners. Research methods included a questionnaire, interviews with practitioners, and focus group meetings with students. The quantitative techniques used were importance-performance analysis IPA and stepwise regression analysis, and the qualitative approach used was thematic analysis. Results showed that both groups perceptions of employability were closely aligned, though gaps existed regarding perceptions of language competency: practitioners felt interns should improve language competency to strengthen employability; conversely, students perceived their language competency as adequate and emphasized their progress. The analysis also indicated that stress management skills and innovation capabilities significantly impacted students willingness to remain in the industry. Educators are advised to make joint efforts with hospitality practitioners to help students in improving language competency, communication abilities, and professional knowledge, with the aim of increasing retention rates; as for students, they are advised to partake in language practice that is more interactive and grounded in contextually-relevant content, in order to enhance their professional knowledge and competencies, and to aid them in better navigating the international workplace.

 This study systematically reviewed enhanced employability and language competency in the context of international hospitality internships. A multi-method research design was applied to analyze the perceptions of student interns and industry practitioners. Research methods included a questionnaire, interviews with practitioners, and focus group meetings with students. The quantitative techniques used were importance-performance analysis IPA and stepwise regression analysis, and the qualitative approach used was thematic analysis. Results showed that both groups perceptions of employability were closely aligned, though gaps existed regarding perceptions of language competency: practitioners felt interns should improve language competency to strengthen employability; conversely, students perceived their language competency as adequate and emphasized their progress. The analysis also indicated that stress management skills and innovation capabilities significantly impacted students willingness to remain in the industry. Educators are advised to make joint efforts with hospitality practitioners to help students in improving language competency, communication abilities, and professional knowledge, with the aim of increasing retention rates; as for students, they are advised to partake in language practice that is more interactive and grounded in contextually-relevant content, in order to enhance their professional knowledge and competencies, and to aid them in better navigating the international workplace.

Makale detayları

International Internships, Language Competency, and Employability: Perceptions of and Gaps Between Students and Industry Stakeholders

Yazarlar:

Mei-jung Sebrina Wang

Yayıncı:

Akdeniz University

Ana Başlıklar:

Tourism (Other)

Dergi:

Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.371-391

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2023

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297970

pISSN:

2147-9100

Internships

language competency

emplyability

hospitatlity education

Sayı

Makale detayları

International Internships, Language Competency, and Employability: Perceptions of and Gaps Between Students and Industry Stakeholders

Yazarlar: Mei-jung Sebrina Wang

Yayıncı: Akdeniz University

Ana Başlıklar: Tourism (Other)

Dergi: Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.371-391

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 1/2023

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001297970

pISSN: 2147-9100

Internships

language competency

emplyability

hospitatlity education

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Mei-jung Sebrina Wang

Yayıncı:

Akdeniz University

Ana Başlıklar:

Tourism (Other)

Dergi:

Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Vol.11 Issue 3, pp.371-391

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2023

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001297970

pISSN:

2147-9100