Embedding Local Tourism in Vocabulary Learning for EFL Students

Abstract

This study reports on the development of VOCAyo, a digital vocabulary learning application designed to address the specific communicative needs of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in Takengon, Central Aceh, with a focus on the tourism sector. Employing a qualitative research design guided by the Dick and Carey instructional model, the study concentrated on needs analysis to align vocabulary learning with authentic local contexts. Data were gathered from 120 students, 12 English teachers, and 9 tourism practitioners through open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed a persistent gap between classroom instruction and the linguistic demands of real-world tourism. Students and teachers identified the lack of contextualized vocabulary in existing materials, while practitioners emphasized recurring communicative situations requiring descriptive, hospitality, and transactional English. Despite these gaps, learners demonstrated strong motivation, high levels of smartphone ownership, and readiness to engage in digital learning. VOCAyo was therefore conceptualized as a mobile-friendly, offline-capable application integrating localized vocabulary, interactive exercises, and built-in assessment features to ensure objectivity and usability. The study contributes to the field of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) by embedding localized socio-economic content into digital resources, thereby bridging the divide between EFL instruction and the communicative realities of the tourism industry.