Class Technical English for Tourism II

This CU aims to: Foster students' critical thinking, as well as their command of vocabulary, language skills and fluency in English in Tourism-related areas, describing destinations and attractions. Develop students' effective and idiomatic oral and written expression, using suitable vocabulary and language skills. Practice professional communication in English, in contexts pertaining to organizations in the Tourism area; dealing with inquiries and complaints on the phone and in person. Develop intercultural communicative competence in handling cultural misunderstandings and consolidate CEFR level B1→B1+.

Not applicable

1.    The appeal of knowing the world. 2.    Tourism destinations; describing destinations and attractions, climate and weather conditions. 3.    Tourism accommodation; different types; what is quality in accommodation. 4.    Heritage and cultural tourism. Intercultural awareness and stereotypes (ICC). 5.    Speaking on the phone and in person; dealing with inquiries, problems and complaints. Written follow-up.

Interactive lecture: short input segments combined with audiovisual resources and demonstrations (real or simulated), individual and small-group activities, debates and case studies. This input is, however, subordinate to a communicative, task-based core. Methodological core (CLT + TBLT): the unit is built around the communicative approach (CLT) and task-based language teaching (TBLT), starting from a brief initial needs analysis. Each module follows a task cycle; pre-task (language and content activation), authentic target task and language focus, with tasks such as: describing and "selling" a destination, designing a package (e.g. a wedding package), handling phone inquiries/complaints and writing the follow-up email. Mediation and interaction (CEFR 2020): mediation tasks: mediating a text, mediating concepts and mediating communication, and online interaction are integrated, being especially relevant to tourism service encounters and intercultural mediation.

Morris, C. (2018). Flash on English for tourism (2nd ed.). ELI Publishing. Strutt, P. (2013). English for international tourism: Intermediate. Coursebook (New ed.). Pearson Education.