With the current globalized hospitality sector, workers need to possess competent English communicative skills to communicate effectively with foreign guests. Assuming this, the current research examined the synergistic effect of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and Translanguaging in improving English language competence and Willingness to Communicate (WTC) among 25 Indonesian hotel employees for a 16-week training program. The research employed a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design with realistic role-play situations and bilingual approaches to building useable language capacity. Quantitative results demonstrated highly significant gains in task effectiveness, interest, and confidence measures, and significant gains in writing (pre-test M = 63.44; post-test M = 82.36, p < 0.001, d = 1.91) and speaking proficiency (pre-test M = 72.08; post-test M = 82.88, p < 0.001, d = 1.64). Translanguaging facilitated understanding and diminished anxiety, but its negative correlation with WTC (r = −0.87, p = 0.002) underscored limitations when over-reliant upon. Qualitative analysis underscored the value of role-playing in recreating real-life scenarios and gaining confidence, as well as the need to balance bilingual support with immersion in English. The outcomes provide a framework for context-sensitive, multilingual professional development program design. © 2025 The Author
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