SCC Takes ESL Classes on the Road: English as a Second Language Classes Provide Hospitality Industry with the Tools to Enhance Guest Services

~Hyatt Regency Phoenix and other hotels provide staff with valuable English language education~

Scottsdale, AZ (September 27, 2007) ? Scottsdale Community College?s ESL for Hospitality program is the only one of its kind in the country, and it?s making quite an impact here in the Valley?s hotel industry.  The program addresses the needs of today?s workforce by offering a Certificate of Completion in English as a Second Language for Hospitality.

SCC?s ESL for Hospitality program has been offered for the past six years, providing ESL education to over 700 students, ages 16-60, from various locales such as Brazil, Jamaica, Eastern Europe, and Mexico, who are now working in the Valley?s hospitality industry.  In fact, SCC?s innovative program caught the eye of the American Association of Colleges, and college representatives were selected to go to Ohrid, Macedonia to assist their local University with starting an ESL for Hospitality Program of their own.

?The program benefits everyone involved ? the ESL students, their employers, and even the hotel?s guests,? said John Liffiton, Scottsdale Community College ESL Program Coordinator.  ?We?re glad to be able to provide a program with such exceptional value for the money.  Many of our customers are repeat business for us, and that tells us that we?re providing a valuable service to them ? one that helps to support their guest service and human resource objectives, and one that will last a lifetime for the students.? 

What makes the program so special is that SCC takes its classroom to their students ? to hotels and resorts such as the Hyatt, Camelback Inn, Marriott, Sheraton, and others.  The practical aspect of the classes are focused on areas where associates working in the hospitality industry are taught to speak, read, and write English so that they may respond to colleagues, supervisors and guests with skill and confidence.

?The ESL classes have made a positive impact by giving our associates the tools they need to better assist our guests with requests and services,? said Angela Haning, Assistant Human Resources Director at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.  ?It has empowered them to be proactive in guest situations rather than be timid due to a language barrier.?

Classes are not tied to the semester and are based on meeting the English language training needs of the student.  Classes are held off campus at times that are convenient for the business.  Everything from orientation and registration to instruction and testing is done at the hotel or business.  Flexible class schedules are offered, whether it involves early morning or evening classes, or before, after or in-between shifts.  Instructors all have at least a master?s degree, and those who teach students in the hospitality setting have experience in the hospitality field.  Most are bilingual. 

?We are currently participating in a third semester of ESL classes at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix,? said Haning.  ?We began by offering beginner-level classes, and are now able to host the intermediate level classes because our associates have learned so much.  In fact, we were asked to start the class earlier than 7am so that our associates could have more time to spend with the instructor. They even asked for more homework!  The dedication has been truly amazing.?

In addition to teaching the classes to employees in hospitality settings, SCC also teaches vocational ESL to businesses such as supermarkets, landscaping companies, construction and automobile companies.

-----

About Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.

Media contact:
Denise Kronsteiner
(480) 423-6567
denise.kronsteiner@sccmail.maricopa.edu

ESL for Hospitality contact:

John Liffiton

(480) 423-6447

john.liffiton@sccmail.maricopa.edu

###