Formation of communication skills in the process of learning a foreign language by the future experts of hospitality industry. .

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of formation and development of the communication skills in foreign language (English) that will culminate in greater opportunities in professional life of the future hospitality industry experts. The most demanded in the period of formation of inter-state integration are the highly qualified experts in hospitality industry with the knowledge of foreign languages and, thus, are able to cooperate with foreign partners, make independent decisions in real situations, see the prospects and plan the strategy and tactics of the industry. The analysis of the research devoted to the study of communication skills and ways of their formation in the process of training the future experts of hospitality industry indicates at the complexity, multidimensionality and insufficient research of this problem. Having learned different interpretations of the term «communication» the following working definition has been offered: communication – is the process by which information is exchanged between individuals. To succeed in this process one must acquire, develop and demonstrate communication skills. Not to confuse the two terms “skills” and “abilities” a detailed explanation of these two concepts has been made. In very basic terms, abilities are natural or inbuilt whilst skills are learned behaviours. If abilities are the willingness for conscious and accurate actions, skills are the automated link of this activity. Consequently, skills are automated abilities. The European Reference Framework claims that to act as a speaker, writer, listener or reader, the learner must be able to carry out a sequence of skilled actions (cognitive, linguistic, phonetic, semantic, visual, manual etc.) which can be defined as the communication skills. Communication skills are essential for the successful future career of any student. The communication functions are seen as the integral part of the process of communication skills formation which in our research are relevant to those of the career in hospitality industry: contact-making, informative, stimulating, coordinating, understanding, emotional, establishing relationships, influencing, value-motivational. Various reasons for gaining communication skills are singled out. Thus, a great role in the training process is played by a teacher. For successful formation and development of the future hospitality industry experts’ communication skills a new and effective training manual “A Guide to Hotel Etiquette: Manners and Conversations” was developed and introduced in pedagogical process. It is dedicated to the problem of hotel etiquette, good manners and correct behaviour supported by conversations aimed at formation of the communication skills in English as a foreign language.