ERIC Number: EJ1157943
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1916-4742
EISSN: N/A
Exploring Students' Learning Needs: Expectation and Challenges
Poedjiastutie, Dwi; Oliver, Rhonda
English Language Teaching, v10 n10 p124-133 2017
Needs analysis is not new in education or academic circles. Many scholars and educators in different parts of the world see this approach as a valuable tool for program development and review as it is a mechanism that can be used to link the students' present academic learning with their future needs. This is also true with respect to language programs--the focus of the current study. At the target university, which is located in Indonesia, students are taught English following an ESP approach. Despite the program being in existence for 22 years, it is apparent there are problems with it as upon graduation many students have achieved only minimal English proficiency. To explore why this might be occurring the current study was undertaken using a mixed methods approach, specifically, large-scale, quantitative data was obtained using surveys circulated to 1000 students. This was complemented by qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions. The findings from the analysis of these two components are presented in the current paper. The findings show students at the target university have pragmatic reasons for learning English. Those include international collaboration, better life opportunities, business establishment international employment competitive, better international test outcomes, cultural awareness, and understanding English journals and books.
Descriptors: Needs Assessment, Educational Needs, Mixed Methods Research, Language Proficiency, English (Second Language), English for Special Purposes, Student Needs, Student Educational Objectives, Student Attitudes, Preferences, College Second Language Programs, Educational Practices, Language Acquisition, Foreign Countries, Student Surveys, Focus Groups
Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: elt@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indonesia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A