NEGRIL, Hanover — President of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) Negril chapter, Lloyd Pusey, is urging teachers, especially those in the tourism resort areas of the island, to encourage students to study a second language.

“I am really impressing on these teachers in the primary and high schools today to look on Spanish and any other language that can be of

benefit to the young students especially in these areas where tourism is the main income for most people in the western end of Jamaica, to really push students, especially where they have a certain level of talent and can speak this language,” Pusey explained.

Pusey was speaking last week Thursday during the Tourism and Entertainment Ministry and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) Ltd launch of a $3-million Foreign Language Skills Training Programme at the Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril, Hanover.

The basic language skills training programme will entail training in Russian and Spanish languages and also cultural sensitivity sessions in order to expose workers to the way of life and to cater to the needs of visitors from non-English-speaking countries, such as Russia, Spain and South America.

Pusey said he regrets not learning a second language during his school days.

“I was a very good student in Spanish. I do remember quite a few things I was taught in school, but it did not reflect on me to learn the language in such a way that it would be of any benefit to me today. Now I have my regrets, because if I had learnt the language and know how to handle my language today, I would be a much better person,” he explained.

The programme which is to be held in the resort towns of Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, will target immigration and customs officers, airport red cap porters, bus and taxi operators, craft vendors and workers in hotel and other frontline staff in the tourism industry.

Pusey pointed out that a second language is important in the tourism sector noting that in his company (JUTA), tour guides and other agents who have second language skills are in great demand.

Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill noted Spain, Russia and Latin America are currently being targeted in a bid to ensure sustainable growth in the tourism sector.

With these emerging markets, Dr McNeill pointed to the importance of having such a language skills training programme.

“We also have flights out of the Czech Republic starting in December and are on target for two flights out of Stockholm, Sweden, one starting in November and the other in December,” noted Dr McNeill.

Dr McNeill further added, “It is incumbent on us to make our visitors feel comfortable while they are here, and one of the best ways to do that is to interact with people who speak their language.”

Executive Training Manager at TPDCo Beverly Prince pointed out that it is important to have language skills introduced to front-line tourism workers in order to enhance the quality of service.

Classes will be held in Negril commencing next week at the Grand Pineapple Hotel, and in Montego Bay on December 4 at the Montego Bay Civic Centre.