ERIC Number: EJ1215793
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1925-4741
EISSN: N/A
Analyzing Professional English Learning Needs and Situations of Science and Language Majors in a Chinese University
Xie, Qing
Higher Education Studies, v9 n2 p141-153 2019
This article reports an investigative study of professional language learning needs of science and language majors in the Chinese university context. Surveys with both rating and open-ended questions and participant observation were conducted with 158 participants from science and language programs who enrolled in business English courses in the Chinese university in February 2017. The results show that science and language majors had different purposes for learning professional English as they had discipline specific learning needs. Language majors had more communication with English users than science majors. However both science and language majors reported limited English language use and learning out of class. There were difficulties in English learning due to lack of motivation and interest. Based on the results, suggestions are offered for teaching improvement. This study has positive implications for college English teaching reform in both China and worldwide context.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Business English, College Students, Majors (Students), College Science, Student Motivation, Student Interests, Needs Assessment, Public Colleges, Verbal Communication, Context Effect, Education Work Relationship, Educational Needs, Student Educational Objectives, Second Language Learning
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: hes@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/hes
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A