ERIC Number: EJ1257913
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2519-5387
EISSN: N/A
Needs Analysis for ESP Course Development: Thai Civil Engineering Students' Perspectives
Asian Journal of Education and Training, v6 n3 p433-442 2020
This study aimed to investigate civil engineering students' English language learning needs and perceptions of their English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course based on the past students' perspectives (Brown, 2016). The study sample comprised 85 third-year Thai students, majoring in civil engineering at University of Phayao, Thailand in the academic year 2018. A mixed-methods research design was employed. A questionnaire on civil engineering students' needs for ESP course was used to investigate the students' perceived needs on their ESP course. Subsequently, a focus group interview was conducted to explore the students' overall perceptions of the ESP course they had finished. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed by means of frequency, mean, and standard deviation. Interview data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed students' high demand of communicative topics particularly speaking and listening in work-related situations. A combination of pair and group work for in-class activities and out-of-class assignments was preferred over working individually. A mixture of Thai and English as a language of instruction was also needed. Pedagogical implications for ESP course designers and teachers of other fields of engineering are put forward to highlight the crucial role of needs analysis in ESP course development.
Descriptors: English for Special Purposes, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Engineering Education, Student Attitudes, Class Activities, Learning Activities, Majors (Students), Foreign Countries, Language of Instruction, Teaching Methods, Cooperative Learning, College Students, Student Needs, Civil Engineering
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Thailand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A