English Learning Program (Brazil)

Brazil is one of the top tourist destinations globally, yet only 3% of the Brazilians population speaks English at a minimal level, and merely 1% speaks fluently (British Council, 2022). In the hospitality industry, English proficiency is a crucial skill, as it directly impacts customer service quality and employee career growth. This initiative provides hospitality associates of the JW Marriott Hotel and the Hilton Copacabana with English language training to enhance their communication skills, increase career advancement opportunities, and improve the overall guest experience.
Through this program, participants will receive full scholarships to enroll in the Path to Fluency program—a structured, online English language course designed to help them progress from beginner to advanced fluency. The project aligns with Hilton and Marriott’s core values of employee development, ensuring that associates gain the skills necessary to serve international guests more effectively while also boosting their long-term career prospects.
A Catho survey revealed that employees fluent in English can earn up to 61% more than their non-English-speaking counterparts. Despite this, many hotel associates lack access to affordable, high-quality language training.
By addressing this skills gap, The English Language Project will:
1. Improve employee communication with English-speaking guests.
2. Increase career advancement opportunities for participating associates.
3. Enhance the guest experience and elevate the reputation of Marriott hotels in Rio de Janeiro.
4. Contribute to the Hilton and Marriott International’s global initiative to empower its workforce through professional development.
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I. Project Description
A. Program Overview
The English Language Project will provide full financial assistance for five associates from the JW Marriott Hotel and Hilton Copacabana to enroll in the Path to Fluency program. This comprehensive online course is structured over five semesters and focuses on:
• Speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills.
• Weekly conversation group sessions.
• Interactive assessments and oral presentations.
• A 336-hour Certificate of Completion upon successful program completion.
B. Key Personnel
The Path to Fluency program will be led by Jonatas “Teacher Jonatas” Lourenco, a highly qualified English instructor with:
• A degree in Portuguese-English Languages from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro.
• A CELTA certification from Cambridge University.
• Over six years of experience in English language education.
C. Role of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program
Our organization will:
1. Coordinate student enrollment in the Path to Fluency program.
2. Monitor student progress through regular communication with Teacher Jonatas.
3. Provide periodic updates to JW Marriott Hotel & Hilton Copacabana management regarding participants’ progress and feedback.
4. Collect testimonials from students to measure program impact.

II. Evaluation Metrics
Success will be measured through:
• Language proficiency assessments conducted at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the program.
• Student self-assessments and feedback surveys.
• Instructor evaluations tracking fluency improvement.
• Employer feedback on participants’ ability to communicate with guests.
• Retention rate of participants completing the entire course.
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III. Sustainability Plan
To ensure long-term success, The English Language Project will:
• Seek additional funding sources to expand the program to more associates.
• Partner with hospitality training organizations to integrate English learning into professional development initiatives.
• Utilize testimonials and program impact data to encourage Marriott and Hilton to support future cohorts.

IV. Conclusion
The English Language Project is a vital initiative that aligns with Marriott International’s commitment to employee development and guest satisfaction. By investing in English language training, the JW Marriott Hotel Rio and Hilton Copacabana will create a more skilled, confident, and marketable workforce while enhancing the overall guest experience.
We are confident that this project will deliver measurable results and a positive return on investment for Marriott International. We look forward to your partnership and thank you for your consideration.