Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Pusey urges students to study a second language
President of JUTA Negril Chapter Lloyd Pusey (left) makes apoint to Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill at the recentlaunch of the Foreign Language Skills Training Programme inNegril. (PHOTO: ANTHONY LEWIS)
Regional, Western
Anthony Lewis | Observer Writer  
November 27, 2013

Pusey urges students to study a second language

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.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Ex-Google worker adds to AI alarm, warns of ‘potential to kill us all’
International News, Latest News
Ex-Google worker adds to AI alarm, warns of ‘potential to kill us all’
September 15, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A former Google DeepMind employee warned that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence could become uncontrollable an...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
UN Tourism wants Jamaica Tourism Pension Scheme adopted globally
Latest News, News
UN Tourism wants Jamaica Tourism Pension Scheme adopted globally
September 15, 2026
ST ANN, Jamaica — The country’s Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme is attracting international attention, with UN Tourism officials describing the countr...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Doniki releases reggae rendition of ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’
Entertainment, Latest News
Doniki releases reggae rendition of ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’
September 15, 2026
Known for hard-hitting songs like  Jah Live Forever  and  My Bredren , Doniki shows a different side to his artistry on  The Last Thing On My Mind . H...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
PNP welcomes progress on relocation of Cooper’s Pen residents, calls for justice and accountability
Latest News, News
PNP welcomes progress on relocation of Cooper’s Pen residents, calls for justice and accountability
September 15, 2026
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is acknowledging the reported progress towards the relocation of residents of Cooper’s Pen whose...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bridging the gulf
Latest News, News
Bridging the gulf
Jamaica seeks bigger role in Middle East-Caribbean air travel
September 15, 2026
Jamaica wants to become the Caribbean’s gateway to the Gulf, with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett revealing fresh talks with Qatar and Etihad as the ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Run-A-Boat’ Culture & Food Festival returns to Florida
Entertainment, Latest News
‘Run-A-Boat’ Culture & Food Festival returns to Florida
September 15, 2026
TAMARAC, United States — A celebration of Jamaican culture is set for Florida this November at the 2026 iteration of the Run-A-Boat Culture & Food Fes...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Saudi tourism talks
Latest News, News
Saudi tourism talks
Bartlett announces February visit to explore potential investment and financing for small tourism businesses
BY JEROME WILLIAMS Observer staff reporter williamsj@jamaicaobserver.com 
September 15, 2026
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has announced that a Saudi team is expected in Jamaica next February for further discussions on potential investme...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Kenya’s moment’ as Africa to host its first world outdoor athletics champs
International News, Latest News
‘Kenya’s moment’ as Africa to host its first world outdoor athletics champs
September 15, 2026
NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP) — Nairobi will host the 2029 world outdoor athletics championships, beating off competition from London, Munich and Rome to becom...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct