Hands-on training, real hotel experience, and a direct path into the world of tourism

Sreypov grew up in a small village in Cambodia. Her family was poor, and life was not easy. She wanted a better future, but she did not know how to start. She was shy and had little confidence.

One day, she heard about the Shinta Mani Foundation. The program was free and helped young people learn hotel work. Sreypov applied and was accepted. She felt very happy, but also nervous about the new life.

At the foundation, she studied for about ten months. She learned English, computer skills, and how to work in a hotel. She also trained in real hotel departments like front office and housekeeping. At first, it was difficult. She made mistakes and felt unsure. But her teachers were kind and patient. They helped her every day. Slowly, she became more confident and stronger.

After the training, Sreypov got her first job in a hotel in Phnom Penh. She worked at the front desk. She welcomed guests and answered questions. She worked hard and always tried her best. Her managers saw her effort, and she got promoted. First, she became a supervisor. Later, she became a manager.

Sreypov did not stop learning. She joined more training and improved her English. She learned how to lead a team and solve problems. Years later, she became the General Manager of a five-star hotel in Phnom Penh.

Now, Sreypov looks back at her journey with pride. The foundation gave her a chance and a new life. Today, she helps young staff grow, just like she once did.

_________________________

Vocabulary:

a gateway – a way to start something new.
a hospitality career – a job in hotels, restaurants, or tourism.
hands-on training – learning by doing.
an experience – something you do or live through.
to be shy – to feel nervous and not talk much.
confidence – feeling sure about yourself.
to apply for something – to ask to join a school, job, or program.
to be accepted – to be chosen to join something.
a computer skill – the ability to use a computer.
to make a mistake – to do something wrong.
to be unsure – to feel not sure.
to be kind – to be nice and helpful.
to be patient – to wait without being angry.
to become confident – to feel sure about yourself.
an effort – trying hard to do something.
to be promoted – to get a higher job or position.
to join training – to go to learn new skills.
to improve one’s English – to make English better.
pride – a happy feeling about what you do.
to grow (people) – to help people get better or stronger.

##################

Matching exercise, word – definition:

Words:

a gateway
a hospitality career
hands-on training
an experience
to be shy
confidence
to apply for something
to be accepted
a computer skill
to make a mistake
to be unsure
to be kind
to be patient
to become confident
an effort
to be promoted
to join training
to improve one’s English
pride
to grow (people)

Definitions:

A. trying hard to do something
B. a happy feeling about what you do
C. learning by doing
D. to help people get better or stronger
E. a way to start something new
F. feeling sure about yourself
G. to get a higher job or position
H. a job in hotels, restaurants, or tourism
I. to feel nervous and not talk much
J. to ask to join a school, job, or program
K. something you do or live through
L. the ability to use a computer
M. to wait without being angry
N. to feel not sure
O. to make English better
P. to be chosen to join something
Q. to go to learn new skills
R. to feel sure about yourself
S. to do something wrong
T. to be nice and helpful

___________________

Answer Key

1–E, 2–H, 3–C, 4–K, 5–I, 6–F, 7–J,
8–P, 9–L, 10–S, 11–N, 12–T, 13–M, 14–R,
15–A, 16–G, 17–Q, 18–O, 19–B, 20–D

##################

True or false?

To be shy means to feel nervous and not talk much.
To join training means to ignore learning new skills.
Confidence means feeling sure about yourself.
Hands-on training means learning by doing.
To improve one’s English means to make English worse.
To apply for something means to ask to join a school, job, or program.
To be accepted means to be chosen to join something.
Pride means a happy feeling about what you do.
To be patient means to wait without being angry.
A gateway is a way to start something new.
To be kind means to be rude to people.
An effort means trying hard to do something.
To make a mistake means to do something correctly.

__________________
Answers:

True: 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13

##################
True or false:

Sreypov grew up in a rich family.
She wanted a better life but did not know how.
She applied to the Shinta Mani Foundation and was accepted.
The foundation training lasted about ten months.
At the foundation, she learned English and computer skills.
She was confident from the first day at the foundation.
Sreypov trained in real hotel departments during her course.
After training, she worked at a hotel in Phnom Penh.
She immediately became General Manager after her first job.
She worked hard and got promoted step by step.
She forgot her teachers after finishing the foundation.
She became a General Manager of a five-star hotel in Phnom Penh.
The foundation did not help her find a career.
Now she helps young staff grow like her teachers helped her.

True: 2,3,4,5,7,8,10,12,14
##################

Multiple-choice questions:

Did she grow up in
(a) a city, or
(b) a small village?
Was her family
(a) rich, or
(b) poor?
Did she want
(a) a better life, or
(b) to stay the same?
Which program did she join?
(a) Shinta Mani Foundation, or
(b) a cooking school?
Was the foundation training
(a) about ten months, or
(b) two years?
What did she learn at the foundation?
(a) English and computer skills, or
(b) only sports?
How did she train at the foundation?
(a) by reading books only, or
(b) in real hotel departments?
Was she confident from the first day?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No?
After training, where did she work?
(a) in Phnom Penh hotel, or
(b) in her village?
Did she become General Manager immediately?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No?
Did she get promoted step by step?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No?
Did she forget her teachers?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No?
What is her position now?
(a) General Manager of a five-star hotel, or
(b) receptionist?
Does she help young staff grow like her teachers helped her?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No?

__________________

Correct answers:

Did she grow up in
(a) a city, or
(b) a small village? ✅ b
Was her family
(a) rich, or
(b) poor? ✅ b
Did she want
(a) a better life, or
(b) to stay the same? ✅ a
Which program did she join?
(a) Shinta Mani Foundation, or
(b) a cooking school? ✅ a
Was the foundation training
(a) about ten months, or
(b) two years? ✅ a
What did she learn at the foundation?
(a) English and computer skills, or
(b) only sports? ✅ a
How did she train at the foundation?
(a) by reading books only, or
(b) in real hotel departments? ✅ b
Was she confident from the first day?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No? ✅ b
After training, where did she work?
(a) in Phnom Penh hotel, or
(b) in her village? ✅ a
Did she become General Manager immediately?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No? ✅ b
Did she get promoted step by step?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No? ✅ a
Did she forget her teachers?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No? ✅ b
What is her position now?
(a) General Manager of a five-star hotel, or
(b) receptionist? ✅ a
Does she help young staff grow like her teachers helped her?
(a) Yes, or
(b) No? ✅ a

##################

Verbs, regular, irregular verbs, in text

Infinitive	Past Simple
be	was / were
grow	grew
want	wanted
know	knew
start	started
have	had
hear	heard
help	helped
learn	learned
apply	applied
feel	felt
study	studied
work	worked
train	trained
make	made
become	became
get	got
welcome	welcomed
answer	answered
try	tried
see	saw
promote	promoted
join	joined
improve	improved
lead	led
solve	solved
look back	looked back
give	gave

##################

Basics in past simple:

Personal Pronoun	Verb (Past)	Object
I	ate	apples
You	ate	apples
He	ate	apples
She	ate	apples
It	ate	apples
We	ate	apples
You (plural)	ate	apples
They	ate	apples
I	played	football
You	played	football
He	played	football
She	played	football
It	played	football
We	played	football
You (plural)	played	football
They	played	football

Personal Pronoun	Verb (Past Negative)	Object
I	did not eat	apples
You	did not eat	apples
He	did not eat	apples
She	did not eat	apples
It	did not eat	apples
We	did not eat	apples
You (plural)	did not eat	apples
They	did not eat	apples
I	did not play	football
You	did not play	football
He	did not play	football
She	did not play	football
It	did not play	football
We	did not play	football
You (plural)	did not play	football
They	did not play	football

Did + Pronoun	Verb	Object
Did I	eat	apples?
Did you	eat	apples?
Did he	eat	apples?
Did she	eat	apples?
Did it	eat	apples?
Did we	eat	apples?
Did you	eat	apples?
Did they	eat	apples?
Did I	play	football?
Did you	play	football?
Did he	play	football?
Did she	play	football?
Did it	play	football?
Did we	play	football?
Did you	play	football?
Did they	play	football?

Didn’t + Pronoun	Verb	Object
Didn’t I	eat	apples?
Didn’t you	eat	apples?
Didn’t he	eat	apples?
Didn’t she	eat	apples?
Didn’t it	eat	apples?
Didn’t we	eat	apples?
Didn’t you	eat	apples?
Didn’t they	eat	apples?
Didn’t I	play	football?
Didn’t you	play	football?
Didn’t he	play	football?
Didn’t she	play	football?
Didn’t it	play	football?
Didn’t we	play	football?
Didn’t you	play	football?
Didn’t they	play	football?

##################

Past simple forms of ‚to be‘:

Person	Past
I	was
You	were
He/She/It	was
We	were
You (pl)	were
They	were

Person	Question
I	Was I …?
You	Were you …?
He/She/It	Was he/she/it …?
We	Were we …?
You (pl)	Were you …?
They	Were they …?

Person	Negative
I	I was not (I wasn’t)
You	You were not (You weren’t)
He/She/It	He/She/It was not (He/She/It wasn’t)
We	We were not (We weren’t)
You (pl)	You were not (You weren’t)
They	They were not (They weren’t)

Person	Negative Question
I	Wasn’t I …?
You	Weren’t you …?
He/She/It	Wasn’t he/she/it …?
We	Weren’t we …?
You (pl)	Weren’t you …?
They	Weren’t they …?

##################

Answer in full sentences:

Where did Sreypov grow up?
What kind of family did she have?
What did she want for her future?
Which program did she join to learn hotel skills?
How did the program provide training, free or paid?
How long did the foundation training last?
What subjects did she study at the foundation?
In which hotel departments did she train?
How did she feel at the beginning of the training?
Where did she get her first hotel job?
How long after her first job did she become General Manager?
How did she get promoted in her career?
What job did she hold after her promotion?
How did she help young staff after her promotion?

_______________________

Answers:

Sreypov grew up in a small village.
She had a poor family.
She wanted a better life.
She joined the Shinta Mani Foundation to learn hotel skills.
The program provided free training.
The foundation training lasted about ten months.
She studied English and computer skills at the foundation.
She trained in real hotel departments.
She felt unsure and nervous at the beginning of the training.
She got her first hotel job in Phnom Penh.
She became General Manager several years after her first job.
She got promoted step by step through hard work.
She held the position of General Manager after her promotion.
She helped young staff grow like her teachers helped her.

#################

Correct the statements, as shown in 1.:

Sreypov grew up in a big city.

YOU WRITE:
No, she didn’t. She grew up in a small village.
She came from a rich family.
She wanted to stay in her village and not change her life.
She joined a cooking school instead of the Shinta Mani Foundation.
The foundation training was paid.
The training program lasted two years.
She only studied sports at the foundation.
She trained only by reading books, not in hotel departments.
She was confident from the first day at the foundation.
She got her first hotel job in her village.
She became General Manager immediately after her first job.
She forgot her teachers after finishing the foundation.

_______________________

Correct version:

Did Sreypov grow up in a big city? – No, she didn’t. She grew up in a small village.
Did she come from a rich family? – No, she didn’t. She came from a poor family.
Did she want to stay in her village? – No, she didn’t. She wanted a better life.
Did she join a cooking school? – No, she didn’t. She joined the Shinta Mani Foundation.
Was the foundation training paid? – No, it wasn’t. It provided free training.
Did the training program last two years? – No, it didn’t. It lasted about ten months.
Did she only study sports at the foundation? – No, she didn’t. She studied English and computer skills.
Did she train only by reading books? – No, she didn’t. She trained in real hotel departments.
Was she confident from the first day? – No, she wasn’t. She felt unsure and nervous at the beginning.
Did she get her first hotel job in her village? – No, she didn’t. She got it in Phnom Penh.
Did she become General Manager immediately after her first job? – No, she didn’t. She became GM several years later.
Did she forget her teachers after finishing the foundation? – No, she didn’t. She remembered them and respected them.

#################
Correct again as shown in 1.:

Did she grow up in a big city?

YOU WRITE:
No, she didn’t. She grew up in a small village.
Did she come from a rich family?
Did she join a cooking school?
Did the foundation training last two years?
Did she study only sports at the foundation?
Did she train only by reading books?
Did she become confident from the first day?
Did she get her first hotel job in her village?
Did she become General Manager immediately after her first job?
Did she forget her teachers after finishing the foundation?
Did she work only in her village after training?
Did she fail the foundation program?
Did she never learn English at the foundation?
Did she refuse to help young staff after her promotion?

________________________

Correct answers:

Did she grow up in a big city?
No, she didn’t. She grew up in a small village.
Did she come from a rich family?
No, she didn’t. She came from a poor family.
Did she join a cooking school?
No, she didn’t. She joined the Shinta Mani Foundation.
Did the foundation training last two years?
No, it didn’t. It lasted about ten months.
Did she study only sports at the foundation?
No, she didn’t. She studied English and computer skills.
Did she train only by reading books?
No, she didn’t. She trained in real hotel departments.
Did she become confident from the first day?
No, she didn’t. She felt unsure and nervous at the beginning.
Did she get her first hotel job in her village?
No, she didn’t. She got her first hotel job in Phnom Penh.
Did she become General Manager immediately after her first job?
No, she didn’t. She became General Manager several years later.
Did she forget her teachers after finishing the foundation?
No, she didn’t. She remembered and respected her teachers.
Did she work only in her village after training?
No, she didn’t. She worked in Phnom Penh.
Did she fail the foundation program?
No, she didn’t. She completed the training successfully.
Did she never learn English at the foundation?
No, she didn’t. She learned English at the foundation.
Did she refuse to help young staff after her promotion?
No, she didn’t. She helped young staff grow like her teachers helped her.

#################

Fill in, words below:

accepted – grew up – staff – departments –
unsure – training – poor – heard –
confident – step by step –
skills – studied

Sreypov __________ in a small village in Cambodia.
Her family was __________, and life was not easy.
She wanted a better life but felt shy and __________.
One day, she __________ about the Shinta Mani Foundation.
The program was free and taught young people hotel __________.
She applied and was __________ into the program.
During ten months of training, she __________ English, computer skills, and hotel work.
She trained in real hotel __________ and made some mistakes.
Her teachers were kind and helped her become __________.
After __________, she got her first hotel job in Phnom Penh.
She worked hard and was promoted __________ until she became General Manager.
Today, she helps young __________ grow like her teachers helped her.

________________________

Correct version:

Sreypov grew up in a small village in Cambodia.
Her family was poor, and life was not easy.
She wanted a better life but felt shy and unsure.
One day, she heard about the Shinta Mani Foundation.
The program was free and taught young people hotel skills.
She applied and was accepted into the program.
During ten months of training, she studied English, computer skills, and hotel work.
She trained in real hotel departments and made some mistakes.
Her teachers were kind and helped her become confident.
After training, she got her first hotel job in Phnom Penh.
She worked hard and was promoted step by step until she became General Manager.
Today, she helps young staff grow like her teachers helped her.

#################

Complete the dialogue – match question and answer:

Questions

Who helped you join the foundation?
What made you leave your village?
Where did you start your first hotel job?
When did you feel more confident at work?
Why did you join the foundation?
Which skills helped you most during training?
How did you stop feeling nervous at first?
Who supported you after your first promotion?
What challenge helped you grow?
Where did you practice solving problems?
When did you decide to become General Manager?
How do you help young staff now?

Answers (Randomized)

a. I began working in a hotel in Phnom Penh.
b. I practiced daily and listened to my teachers.
c. I decided after working in several positions in the hotel.
d. Working in different hotel departments helped me grow.
e. I teach them and help them grow like my teachers helped me.
f. My teachers guided me and supported me during training.
g. My managers encouraged me and gave more responsibility.
h. I became confident after training at the foundation.
i. A better future encouraged me to go to Phnom Penh.
j. English and computer skills helped me succeed.
k. I wanted to learn hotel work and improve my skills.
l. A better future encouraged me to go to Phnom Penh.

_______________________

Answers:

1 f, 2 i, 3 a, 4 h, 5 k, 6 j,
7 b, 8 g, 9 d, 10 l, 11 c, 12 e

_______________________

Correct version:

Who helped you join the foundation?

My teachers guided me and supported me during training.

What made you leave your village?

A better future encouraged me to go to Phnom Penh.

Where did you start your first hotel job?

I began working in a hotel in Phnom Penh.

When did you feel more confident at work?

I became confident after training at the foundation.

Why did you join the foundation?

I wanted to learn hotel work and improve my skills.

Which skills helped you most during training?

English and computer skills helped me succeed.

How did you stop feeling nervous at first?

I practiced daily and listened to my teachers.

Who supported you after your first promotion?

My managers encouraged me and gave more responsibility.

What challenge helped you grow?

Working in different hotel departments helped me grow.

Where did you practice solving problems?

I solved problems while working in hotel departments.

When did you decide to become General Manager?

I decided after working in several positions in the hotel.

How do you help young staff now?

I teach them and give them chances to improve their skills.

#################

🎓 1. What their training program is

The Shinta Mani Foundation runs a hospitality training school in Siem Reap (Cambodia), focused on hotel/tourism careers.

What you learn

Hotel operations (front office, F&B, housekeeping, spa, kitchen, etc.)
English (very important for tourism)
Computer skills
Life skills (communication, finance, career planning)
Internship inside real hotels (Shinta Mani hotels) (Shinta Mani Foundation)

👉 So it’s both theory + real hotel work experience, which is a big advantage.

⏳ 2. Duration of training

About 10 months total (Shinta Mani Foundation)
Includes:
- Classroom learning
- Practical internship in hotel departments

👉 It’s quite intensive but short enough to enter the job market quickly.

💰 3. Cost & benefits

Free education (no tuition)
Free:
- Meals
- Uniforms
- Materials
Sometimes:
- Accommodation (for rural students)
- Small stipend support (Shinta Mani Foundation)

👉 This is rare—most hospitality schools cost money.

📝 4. How to join (important reality)

This is where many people misunderstand:

❗ Key requirement

The program is mainly for underprivileged Cambodian youth
Students are selected, not open global admission (Shinta Mani Foundation)

Typical process

Application (local candidates)
Screening (background + motivation)
Interview/selection
Intake (small group each year)

👉 If you are not Cambodian or not from their target group, you usually cannot directly enroll.

🌍 5. Can international students join?

Direct enrollment: ❌ Very unlikely
Possible alternatives:
- Volunteer with the foundation
- Intern (if partnerships exist)
- Work in Shinta Mani Hotels later

👉 It’s more of a social-impact training program, not a global hospitality school like Swiss or EU institutions.

💼 6. Career outcomes (very strong)

This is the biggest strength:

Near 100% employment rate after graduation (Shinta Mani Foundation)
Graduates work in:
- Luxury hotels (e.g., Raffles, Sofitel, Aman) (eHotelier Insights)
- Shinta Mani hotels
Some progress to:
- Management roles
- Entrepreneurship

👉 This is exceptionally strong for tourism training.

📊 7. Is it good for a tourism career?

✅ Yes — especially because:

Real hotel experience (not just classroom)
Strong employer network
English + practical skills
Direct hiring pipeline

⚠️ But:

Only accessible to a specific group (mainly Cambodian youth)

🧭 8. What YOU should do (practical advice)

If your goal is tourism career:

Option A — If you are eligible (Cambodia/local)

Apply directly via their website/contact
Prepare:
- Motivation
- Basic English
- Willingness to work in hospitality

Option B — If you are international (e.g. Europe)

Better alternatives:

Hospitality schools (Austria, Switzerland, etc.)
Hotel internships (Erasmus / global chains)
Entry-level hotel jobs → grow experience

✔️ Bottom line

Training length: ~10 months
Cost: Free (with support)
Entry: Selective, mainly local Cambodian students
Career outcome: Excellent (very high employment rate)

👉 It’s one of the best social-impact hospitality programs, but not an open international school.

#################

✔️⏳Shina Mani Foundation – a gateway to a global hospitality career – Sreypov’s career (past simple, A2)⏳✔️