ESP needs analysis for tourism agencies staff : the case of el Oued and Jijel

Abstract EN

Tourism agencies are of crucial importance in the promotion of tourism as they represent an important marketing tool.

Moreover, English becomes a necessity that the agencies' staff need to market the tourism product.

Therefore, this study aims at identifying the English language needs of tourism agencies' staff in the province of El Oued and Jijel because among the main problems encountered by them is the inability to use English in the workplace.

The study adopts a mixed method; quantitative and qualitative, and the needs analysis has been conducted using a questionnaire.

Results revealed that the agency's staff needs a mixture of all the four language skills and sub skills.

Furthermore, English use difficulties include; inability to find the appropriate words to communicate with tourists.

The study recommends for the integration of agencies' staff needs into the ESP course design process.