Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: English has become an indispensable tool in the tourism sector, driving universities to strengthen their academic offerings. This effort includes increasing the hours dedicated to language instruction and incorporating professional internships to enhance students' language skills and promote bilingualism. However, many students begin these internships without adequate preparation, and their progress is often not evaluated upon completion. This study examines the impact of internships on the development of English-speaking skills in A2-level students from the Tourism program at Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí. The research involved 45 seventh-semester students whose language proficiency corresponds to A2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference, currently interning at various tourism companies. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data was collected through surveys, complemented by qualitative insights gathered from open-ended questions. The findings reveal significant improvements in fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, and confidence in English communication after participating in the internships. Additionally, the study identified benefits and challenges faced by students when applying the language in real workplace settings. Based on these results, educational and professional recommendations are proposed to enhance the linguistic preparation of A2-level students, emphasizing the critical role of internships in their professional and academic development.
Source: Arandu-UTIC.
Institution: Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407677430