This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit

communication and interpersonal skills to allow for positive and courteous interactions with customers

crosscultural communication skills to participate in routine communications and transactions and use key words phrases sentences and vocabulary specific to communicating about number eg counting time place distance quantity and currency to fulfil common customer requests relevant to particular workplace and language being assessed

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit

social and cultural conventions specific to the language being assessed which enhance communication and avoid giving offence to customers and colleagues including

traditions

attire

awareness of appropriate forms of address

food taboos special dietary needs and eating habits of the relevant culture where relevant to the workplace

appropriate body language

general knowledge of crosscultural communication issues sufficient to conduct routine workplace transactions in a socially and culturally appropriate manner

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this TrainingPackage

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this TrainingPackage.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

There are three critical considerations for the assessment of this unit

This unit can be used to assess basic oral proficiency in any language other than English Assessment must be customised to the requirements of a particular language

Assessment should not only focus on the language being assessed but must also incorporate the practical customer service requirements of the tourism or hospitality industry ie the assessment of language must be conducted while the candidate is carrying out typical tourism or hospitality vocational activities

This unit can apply to any tourism and hospitality sector workplace and circumstance Assessment activities must ensure that the use of a specific language is contextualised and linked to vocational activities which are relevant to the particular tourism or hospitality sector and workplace For example if assessment is linked to restaurant service language usage should relate to a restaurant

Evidence of the following is essential

ability to use appropriate courtesy expressions give simple factual supporting information and clarify information by asking simple factual questions in a language other than English

ability to accurately identify and respond to customer needs provide routine information and maintain communication with customers and colleagues in relation to routine transactions

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

operational conditions of a tourism or hospitality customer service environment

that the person being assessed is undertaking typical tourism or hospitality workplace activities such as preparing and serving beverages providing site information and assistance selling merchandise or tourism products or services serving food checking in while using the language being assessed

provision of services to customers within typical workplace time constraints

use of relevant and current tourism and hospitality materials and equipment including timetables brochures menus tour desks checkin desks and restaurant equipment

use of resources which would be commonly used to assist workplace communication including

phrase books

dictionaries

language mats

maps

pamphlets

menus

signs written in the specific language

international signage such as No Smoking signs

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

oral testing of conversational language use note this should not be the sole method of assessment

direct observation of the candidate communicating in a language other than English in a customer service environment while undertaking typical workplace activities

review of visual aids prepared by the candidate to assist verbal communication

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the culture social and cultural conventions and crosscultural communication requirements associated with the language

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SITHACSB Provide accommodation reception services

SITHACS001B Provide accommodation reception services

SITHFABC Operate a bar

SITHFAB002C Operate a bar

SITHFABA Provide food and beverage service

SITHFAB004A Provide food and beverage service

SITXCCSB Provide visitor information

SITXCCS001B Provide visitor information.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role

Routine communications may include:

Courtesy expressions may include:

Topical and familiar matters may include:

Communicate must include:

Workplace materials and visual information may include:

Simple directions and instructions may include: