Synchronous (Onsite) English for Specific or Academic Purposes Research Report/Paper (25 mins Onsite)
The Designing of English for MICE: Target Language Needed by the Industry
This study aims to investigate English target language required in the operation of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) business in Thailand. Data were gathered from 30 employees and executives who have at least 7-year work experiences in MICE sectors. The questionnaire, supplemented by a semi-structured interview, was designed to explore situations where the English language is necessary for workers to function successfully in the MICE industry and to examine issues that might hinder the successful use of English. Major findings indicated that productive skills of English in the target situations such as briefing and explaining concepts, scopes, and details of a MICE event and delivering a sales pitch to a client in English were the most important. Problems and challenges that frequently hampered the effective English communication among MICE employees were also specified. Findings from this study yielded useful information and had considerable implications for designing the syllabus and materials in English for MICE. That is, the course content should include integrated skills of English, with an emphasis on productive skills.
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Savika Varaporn is a full-time English lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand. She received her Ph.D. degree in English Language Teaching (International Programme) from the Language Institute of Thammasat University. Her research interests include EFL reading, multimodality in ELT, multiliteracies, and English for Academic Purposes. She can be reached at savikav@gmail.com.