An Analysis of the English Speaking and Writing Skill Level of Tour Guides in Trenggalek’s Tourist Villages

Abstract

Tourist village has been one of the main focuses of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy right now. Indonesian government is targeting 3000 tourist villages in Indonesia, and some areas may start developing its tourist villages, one of which is Trenggalek, a small regency that is located in East Java. Trenggalek is targeting 100 tourist villages by 2024. One of the most important supporting components in tourist villages is tour guide. In other words, the role of tour guide is inseparable from the existence of tourist villages. To fulfill their duties, a tour guide must master some skills, one of which is English skill. A tour guide is required to comprehend four English skills, especially productive skills; speaking and writing. In Trenggalek, some tour guides are in charge of tourist villages. However, most of them have not joined English training programs. Their English skill level has also not been analysis or mapped. This study then initiates the analysis of English skill level of tour guides in tourist villages in Trenggalek. The study employs qualitative descriptive research to find the data. The findings reveal that there are some levels of both speaking and writing skill. However, speaking skill levels are more diverse compared to the writing ones.

English for tour guide program to improve English Skills of tour guides in Trenggalek’s Tourist Villages

“…From the program, it can also be concluded that the mapping of English skills of tour guides is needed, and some studies have been conducted regarding this. In addition, Wahyuningtyas et al (2022) analyzed the English-speaking and writing levels of tour guides in tourist villages in Trenggalek. The study revealed that tour guides' skills were divided into two levels; basic and intermediate.…”

Mapping the Levels of English Storytelling of Tour Guides in Jajar Gumregah Tourist Village Trenggalek

“…Therefore, satisfactory service from tour operators is needed, one of which is reflected in the ability of the tour guides to speak English. Related to this, Wahyuningtyas et al (2022) have mapped the English skills of tour guides in the Trenggalek tourist village based on speaking and writing skills, where the English language skills of the tour guides vary from essential to intermediate levels. Therefore, tour guides should also have sufficient English storytelling skills.…”