Brook Garnica Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School William W. Hendricks California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Introduction Due to California’s increasingly diverse population, the parks and recreation profession is in need of bilingual and multilingual employees. This will result in improved customer service, higher quality management skills, and a reduction of communication barriers (Leslie & Russell, 2006). Methods Online survey (zoomerang.com) sent to 1,405 CPRS members in April 2011 The questionnaire measured: Motivation to learn a foreign language Opinions regarding the need for foreign language proficiency Frequency of foreign language usage Descriptive statistics - 4-point Likert scales for motivation and foreign language proficiency need (stongly disagree “1” to strongly agree “4” 185 subjects returned a completed questionnaire Results Discussion Individuals motivated to learn foreign language for intrinsic reasons Majority of subjects are not using foreign language on a daily basis Most subjects do not possess foreign language skills Spanish is the most frequently used foreign language 47% of subjects have been working in the field at least 21 years, Most at supervisor level & above; thus may not have direct contact with program participants or employees speaking English as a second language Contrary to previous research, the subjects are not motivated to learn a foreign language for a higher salary or for career advancement The purpose of this study was to assess the foreign language proficiency motivations and opinions among individuals employed in the parks and recreation profession. Study Purpose Motivation to Learn Foreign Language 4-point scale Mean Personal achievement3.02 Proficiency in non-English language3.00 Communicate with non-English speakers2.93 Learn about another culture2.74 For travel abroad2.57 Skillful graduation requirement2.15 Communicate with international clientele2.13 Communicate with employees2.05 Career advancement2.02 Receive higher wages1.92 Employment qualifications1.85 Conduct future research by region to determine specific communities in need of foreign language proficiency by employees Focus research on employees in direct contact with program participants The CPRS VIP Action Plan supports the need for employees who are bilingual or multilingual by its goals of: “Providing recreation experiences for individuals, families and communities” and “Increasing cultural unity” (VIP Project, 1999) Foreign Language Proficiency Employees Need 4-point scale Mean Some vocabulary2.85 Knowledge of 5-10 common words2.78 Need Spanish skills2.44 Need conversational skills2.31 No proficiency necessary2.29 Need bilingual skills2.04 Need multilingual skills1.73 CPRS Members’ Language Proficiency CPRS should offer training/webinars that offer basic Spanish speaking skills With changing demographics in California will be a demand for employees with cultural diversity knowledge and foreign language skills Years Employed % Frequency Interact Non- English Speakers % Never31.1 Rarely times per week times pe week times per week % female 62% no foreign language skills 27% possess Spanish skills 31% directors, 20% supervisors, 18% managers, 9% coordinators Subjects