Bienvenidos A Bordo - From Task-Based Needs Analysis to Design - Spanish-Destination Flight Attendants

Oct 15, 2026

A task-based needs analysis investigates the professional duties of U.S.-based Spanish-language flight attendants and the specific language needs tied to those duties. Using a questionnaire-guided interview and an online survey, the study extracts essential tasks and subtasks and evaluates training requirements, frequency, and patterns of Spanish language use. Triangulating multiple sources and methods strengthens the understanding of task structure and linguistic dimensions. Recommendations describe how the NA outcomes can transfer to task and syllabus design.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Changing Linguistic Landscape

Bienvenidos A Bordo: From Task-Based Needs Analysis to Design: Spanish-Destination Flight Attendants Shakira Keller Universitat de Barcelona Roger Gilabert Universitat de Barcelona Abstract The aim of this task-based needs analysis is two-fold: firstly, to uncover the tasks performed by U.S.-based Spanish-language flight attendants and the associated language needs and, in doing so, to expand the breadth of task-based needs analysis (TBNA) through the application of multiple methods and sources (Long, 2005) and tackling the under-researched issue of transfer from TBNA to task design (Gilabert & Malicka, 2021a; 2021b) . A questionnaire-guided interview and online survey were used. Analysis of the extracted information illuminated the essential tasks and subtasks (Gilabert, 2005), including details regarding frequency, need for training, and language use. Findings suggest that each task and subtask requires varying amounts of Spanish, as well as knowledge of distinct linguistic dimensions. Triangulation of multiple sources and methods adds to the understanding of the tasks and language needs. Finally, suggestions as to how the outcome of this NA may transfer to task design are presented, hence extending the field of TBNA. Résumé L'objectif de cette analyse des besoins basée sur les tâches est double : tout d'abord, découvrir les tâches effectuées par les agents de bord hispanophones basés aux États-Unisainsi que les besoins linguistiques qui y sont associés, et ce faisant, élargir la portée del'analyse des besoins basée sur les tâches en appliquant des méthodes et des sources multiples (Long, 2005) et en abordant la question peu étudiée du transfert de l'analyse des besoins basée sur les tâches à la conception des tâches (Gilabert & Malicka, 2021a ; 2021b) . Un entretien guidé par un questionnaire et une enquête en ligne ont été utilisés. L'analyse des informations extraites a mis en lumière les tâches et les sous-tâches essentielles (Gilabert, 2005), y compris les détails concernant la fréquence, le besoin deformation et l'utilisation de la langue. Les résultats suggèrent que chaque tâche et soustâche nécessite une quantité variable d'espagnol, ainsi que la connaissance de dimensions linguistiques distinctes. La triangulation de plusieurs sources et méthodes contribue à la compréhension des tâches et des besoins linguistiques. Enfin, des suggestions sur lamanière dont les résultats de cette analyse des besoins peuvent être transférés à la conception des tâches sont présentées, élargissant ainsi le domaine de l'analyse des besoins basée sur les tâches. Bienvenidos A Bordo: From Task-Based Needs Analysis to Design: Spanish Destination Flight Attendants Introduction Changing Linguistic Landscape With the turn of the 21st century came a growing interest in the area of needs analysis (NA): professional, in-depth inquiries into what people in a specific community need to learn. As opposed to more general needs analysis (Long, 2005; 2015), in taskbased needs analysis, the task is the unit of organization. As advocated by Long (2005), at times of limited resources and high demands on second language teaching, accountability for teaching and learning effectiveness is of the utmost importance. Long (2005) suggests that a needs analysis should be carried out for all individual language teaching programs, and every language course should be considered as a course for specific purposes. More recently, the need to address the under-researched issue of how to go from NA to actual task and syllabus design has been raised by scholars (Malicka et al., 2019; Gilabert & Malicka, 2021a, 2021b) . The need to understand how task-based needs analysis (TBNA) as a first step in task and syllabus design may aid every aspect of task-based syllabus development: task selection, task pedagogical design, task sequencing, methodological implementation, task assessment, and program evaluation. Increasing expectations for leading airl

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the task-based needs analysis in the study?

To identify the tasks performed by U.S.-based Spanish-language flight attendants and clarify the associated language needs, while extending TBNA through multiple methods and addressing transfer to task design.

How are the data for the needs analysis collected?

A questionnaire-guided interview and an online survey are used.

What do the findings suggest about language use in tasks?

Each task and subtask requires varying amounts of Spanish and involves knowledge of distinct linguistic dimensions, supported through triangulation of sources and methods.

Oct 15, 2026

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