Implications of student attitudes towards the program of English in Mersin School of Tourism and Hotel Management

Abstract

ABSTRACT This thesis attempts to ascertain English language requirements of students, in the Mersin School of Tourism and Hotel Management (MSTHM), and to gain the students' evaluation of the present system of English language teaching in the preparatory class and in the first and second years. in that school as well. Students are assumed to have some problems in reading, listening, speaking and writing activities. They were asked to state the problem areas to help find some solution and, therefore^ to assist in improving the existing curriculum. In this study, two questionnaires were used. One of them, which is the core of the study, was given to the first- and second-year students. The second questionnaire was given to the teachers who teach their courses in English. However, since there are only five teachers and the data obtained from those questionnaires could be misleading, the evaluation of the second questionnaire isa given in the appendix only to give an idea about the teachers ' ideas. Analysis of the data show that the students have some difficulties in some skills, subjects, and/or activities (S.S.A.'s). Those S.S.A.'s are explained in' detail in Chapter III. In Chapter I, background to the study aims and scope, assumptions, and limitations are offered.Chapter II gives information about English about for Special Purposes (ESP) theoretically, some model approaches to syllabus design in ESP which are Structural, Situational and Communicative Approaches. Also, notional syllabus Design of Wilkins, the functional -notional model of Finocchiaro and Brumfit, Munby's model are offered as some model of Communicative Syllabus Design. In the second chapter, the English teaching system in MSTHM and some information about the books are also given. Chapter III consist of research method that is sampling, questionnaire design, and criteria for evaluation of the questionnaire, analysis of the questionnaire, implications and suggestions for improvement of the English language teaching program. Chapter IV contains the conclusion and suggestions for further research. 11