Guidelines for Developing Japanese-Speaking Tour Guide Skills through Tour Guiding Activities: A Case Study of Japanese-Speaking Tour Guide Activities
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Abstract
This study aimed to examine students’ levels of self-assessment after participating in a guided tour activity, investigate Japanese tourists’ satisfaction with students’ performance, and propose guidelines for developing Japanese-speaking tour guide skills. The sample consisted of 30 students from the Japanese Language and Communication Program at Ubon Ratchathani University and 19 Japanese tourists who participated in a tour activity in the Southern part of Northeastern Thailand. Data were collected through self-assessment forms and satisfaction questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using means and standard deviations, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis.
The results showed that students rated their ability to take care of tourists at the highest level (mean = 3.89), whereas they rated their knowledge of Thailand and tourist attractions at the lowest level (mean = 3.81). Regarding Japanese tourists, the highest level of satisfaction was found in guides’ friendliness and service (mean = 4.89), while the lowest level of satisfaction was found in guides’ knowledge and explanations (mean = 4.26). Qualitative findings revealed that students developed additional skills, particularly teamwork and self-confidence. Japanese tourists also suggested improvements in communication skills, Japanese language proficiency, tour guiding communication techniques, and time management. Based on these findings, the study proposes three approaches for developing Japanese-speaking tour guide skills through guided tour activities: (1) bridging knowledge with spontaneous communication, (2) enhancing tour guiding techniques, and (3) strengthening tourist care through a service-minded approach. However, although guided tour activity were based on the framework of experiential learning to help enhance students’ tourist service skills and confidence in Japanese communication, they remain insufficient for developing an in-depth knowledge of tourist attractions and providing professional-level explanations in Japanese. This highlights a gap between practical training in the course and the professional standards required of real tour guides, suggesting an important issue for the further development of Japanese language education for tourism.
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