Pre-reading questions:
- What is your dream job? Why?
- Where do you usually go with your family? Tell me more about it.
Vocabulary:
- service industry /SUR-vis in-duh-stree/
- automated /AW-tuh-meyt-uhd/
- define /dih-fahyn/
- shortage /SHAWR-tij/
- focus /foh-kuhs/
[noun] an industry that provides a service for people but does not result in the production of goods
Most of the businesses in this city are in the service industry like hotels and restaurants.
[adjective] made to operate by machines or computers in order to reduce the work done by humans
Human labor decreases because of automated machines.
[verb] to describe the meaning of something
Please help me define these difficult words for my report next week.
[noun] a situation in which there is not enough of something
There is a medicine supply shortage in the city that’s why people have a disease.
[verb] to direct attention towards something or someone
High school students need to focus on their college entrance exams.
Japan redefines hospitality by investing in the service industry particularly in automated machines as it add to the productivity of a company. According to a report, the investment might reduce the nation’s brand of hospitality called omotenashi. Omotenashi is defined as “human touch with customers” thus, making customers a priority all the time. Some businesses turned to have automated self-serving systems due to labor shortage and aging population.
The level of omotenashi may differ from one place to another but it mainly focuses on “human communication”. Some stores let customers buy without any assistance from any store staff while other stores keep and train their staff in assisting their customers around the area. Some companies believe that the spirit of omotenashi is improved by using the right technology.
The level of omotenashi may differ from one place to another but it mainly focuses on “human communication”. Some stores let customers buy without any assistance from any store staff while other stores keep and train their staff in assisting their customers around the area. Some companies believe that the spirit of omotenashi is improved by using the right technology.
Comprehension Questions:
- According to the article, how does Japan redefine hospitality?
- How does the article define “omotenashi”?
- Why did some companies turn to automated self-serving systems?
- What is the main focus of “omotenashi”?
- How do some companies improve omotenashi?
Discussion Questions:
- Define “omotenashi” in your own words.
- What is your opinion on automated hospitality? Explain your answer.
- Do you think all kinds of jobs can be automated? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think is the most interesting job for you? Why?
- Imagine that your tutor is going to your hometown. What place/s will you recommend to him/her?