English Proficiency Requirements for Hotel Front-desk Staff by the Vietnam Tourism Occupational Standards: Implications for ESP Curriculum in Vietnam

Background/purpose. As Vietnam expands its tourism industry and integration into ASEAN, English proficiency has become crucial for hotel front-desk staff. This issue not only affects the tourism workforce but also how educational programs, particularly English for Specific Purposes (ESP), prepare their students for this demand. This study examines the current English proficiency of hotel front-desk staff and the proficiency required for specific tasks outlined in the Vietnam Tourism Occupational Standards (VTOS), with implications for ESP curriculum design. Materials/methods. A mixed-methods design was employed, including a questionnaire administered to 82 receptionists and in-depth interviews with eight staff from 1-star to 4-star hotels. The research utilized VTOS competencies to investigate the language proficiency required for specific job tasks. Results. Listening and speaking skills emerged as the most essential skills, while the tasks related to guest interaction, safety, and legal compliance required higher language competency. English proficiency requirements rose with the hotel star gradings; however, a notable gap persisted between national standards and actual workplace requirements. Conclusion. The study indicated the importance of English skills and insight of specific task evidence for ESP curriculum design. ESP curricula should integrate VTOS competencies, focusing more on real-world hotel scenarios that incorporate oral communication, and diversify listening input with various accents. These improvements offer practical directions for enhancing student employability and the competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism workforce.