S.P.A.R.K. THE TALK: A PLAY TO PERFORMANCE MODEL FOR TEACHING ENGLISH IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE
Keywords:
English for Food and Beverage Service; Gamification; Active Role-Play; Social Media Videos; English Communication Skills.Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study used a mixed-methods research design to examine the implementation of the S.P.A.R.K. model (Social Media Videos, Play through Online and Offline Games, Active Role Play, Realistic Scenarios, and Knowledge Building) in a Food and Beverage Service English course. The study involved 12 first-semester students in the Diploma I Food and Beverage Service program and was conducted over 16 class meetings. The S.P.A.R.K. model combines online and offline games, social media videos, and role-play activities to help students practice English in authentic hospitality situations. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test speaking assessments and a questionnaire consisting of closed-ended and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed descriptively based on students' responses to the open-ended questionnaire. The results showed that students improved their speaking performance, although only a small improvement in fluency was observed. Students also reported high levels of motivation, engagement, and confidence. They found the combination of games, social media videos, and role-play activities enjoyable and helpful for learning English. These findings suggest that the S.P.A.R.K. model creates an engaging learning environment and supports the development of students' English communication skills. However, a longer period of practice may be needed to achieve greater improvement in speaking fluency.
References
Al Arif, T. Z. Z. (2019). The Use Of Social Media For English Language Learning: An Exploratory Study Of EFL University Students. Metathesis: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, 3(2), 224–233.
Anwas, E., Sugiarti, Y., Permatasari, A., Warsihna, J., Anas, Z., Alhapip, L., & Rivalina, R. (2020). Social Media Usage For Enhancing English Language Skill.
Chand, G. B. (2021). Challenges Faced by Bachelor Level Students While Speaking English. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 6(1), 45–60.
Dewi, R. S., Kultsum, U., & Armadi, A. (2017). Using Communicative Games in Improving Students’ Speaking Skills. English Language Teaching, 10(1), 63–71.
Guntoro, Y. T. (2021). ESP Course Design For Indonesian Hotel Industry: Need Analysis. English Learning Innovation (Englie), 2(2), 52–61.
Hastuti, D. P., Pratama, R. M. D., & Agustianingrum, C. I. (2025). Role of English Fluency on Job Seekers’ Perspective in West Jakarta: English. Journal of English Development, 5(1), 206–216.
Ho, P. V. P., Thien, N. M., An, N. T. M., & Vy, N. N. H. (2020). The Effects Of Using Games On EFL Students’ Speaking Performances. International Journal of English Linguistics, 10(1), 183–193.
Huwari, I. F. (2019). Problems faced by Jordanian undergraduate students in speaking English. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 8(9), 203–217.
Idham, S. Y., Subramaniam, I., Khan, A., & Mugair, S. K. (2022). The Effect Of Role-Playing Techniques On The Speaking Skills Of Students At University. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(8), 1622–1629.
Jaya, H. P., Petrus, I., & Pitaloka, N. L. (2022). Speaking Performance And Problems Faced By English Major Students At A University In South Sumatera. Indonesian EFL Journal, 8(1), 105–112.
Ma’fiyah, I., & Sumardiono, S. (2023). English Language Needs for Hotel Service and ESP Program: The Case of Hospitality Vocational Secondary School. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 4(3), 429–437.
Manalastas, A. K. M. (2023). Communicative Competence In A Global Hospitality Workplace: Assessment Of English Language Competency Of BSHM Graduating Students. SEAQIL Journal of Language Education, 2(2), 1–7.
Moattarian, A., & Tahririan, M. H. (2014). Language Needs Of Graduate Students And ESP Courses: The Case Of Tourism Management In Iran. Journal of Research in Applied Linguistics, 5(2), 4–22.
Rahim, S. A., & Tazijan, F. (2011). Analyzing the Training and Internship Needs Assessment of Verbal Communication Skills amongst Hotel Practitioners. English Language Teaching, 4(3), 44–53.
Safitri, N. P. D., & Oktaviani, L. (2020). The Effect of Role Play Model based on Performance Assessment on English Learning Competency and Motivation of Hotel Hospitality Students in Dalung Area. 2(16).
Safitri, N. P. D., & Tari, N. (2022). Gamification and Role Play: Two Combined Teaching Strategies for Developing Students’ Speaking Skills. Jurnal Manajemen Pelayanan Hotel, 6(2), 617–632.
Safitri, N. P. D., & Tari, N. (2024). Persepsi dan Pengalaman Mahasiswa Menggunakan Gamifikasi untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi dan Keterampilan Bahasa Inggris di Era Digital. Jurnal Simki Pedagogia, 7(2), 501–514.
Safitri, N. P. D., & Tari, N. (2025). Exploring Language Learners’ Engagement with Influencer Content for English Language Learning on Social Media Platforms. Jurnal Simki Pedagogia, 8(1), 133–144.
Seyitoglu, F., & Yuzbasioglu, N. (2015). The Role of Strategic Communication in Hospitality Industry; The Case of Antalya. Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(2), 16–35.
Tahe, A. (2020). The problems of Thai students in mastering English speaking skills in the Islamic University of Lamongan. E-Link Journal, 7(2), 1–16.
Tari, N., & Safitri, N. P. D. (2023). Using Games: Role Play And Kahoot In English Language Teaching And Learning For Tourism Students. Jurnal Manajemen Pelayanan Hotel, 7(2), 1093–1112.
Togimin, N., & Jaafar, H. (2020). Role Play Activities: An Innovative Approach To Teaching Speaking Skills In An ESL Classroom. LSP International Journal, 7(2), 19–36.
Youssef, F. (2017). The Role of Faculties of Tourism and Hotel Management in Developing the Etiquette and Communication Skills for Students within the Educational Community. International Journal of Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality, 11(3), 87–102.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Ni Putu Dianita Safitri, Nirmala Tari

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with e-Journal English Language Teaching Society (ELTS) agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.


