Author: Ikrame Chibani, Khalil Hsoune

Abstract: This paper explores the acquisition of English and Spanish among Moroccan tourism professionals (waiters, tour guides, vendors, etc.) in popular tourist destinations like Chefchaouen and Marrakech. It examines the apparent paradox of high fluency levels in these languages despite limited formal language learning opportunities. Many individuals within this workforce demonstrate impressive communicative competence, suggesting the presence of effective, yet informal, acquisition strategies. This research investigates these strategies through semi-structured interviews with tourism professionals in the selected cities. The interviews aim to uncover the innovative and often self-directed techniques employed by these individuals, including exposure to authentic language through interactions with tourists, utilization of media and technology, and engagement in self-study practices. By focusing on the lived experiences and learning practices of these individuals, this study seeks to understand the dynamics of informal language acquisition in a real-world context. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of non-formal language learning pathways and contribute to a deeper understanding of how individuals can achieve fluency in a second or third language outside of traditional educational settings. Ultimately, this research aims to inform pedagogical approaches and potentially empower other language learners by highlighting the power of informal learning in achieving communicative competence.

Keywords: language, acquisition, communicative competence, non-formal language learning.

Article Info: Received: 19 Aug 2025; Received in revised form: 16 Sep 2025; Accepted: 19 Sep 2025; Available online: 22 Sep 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.105.23