Carol, This is a common challenge expressed by teachers of general education classes. Being able to show application and relevancy is important to students in this case studying culinary arts. Are you able to bring in guest speakers, such as former graduates that can give examples of how the skills developed in speech and English classes pay off in career development? I do this frequently and it really helps my students to see the value of gen ed courses. I also bring in employers for the same reason and my students respond to them as well. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.