TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS’ NEEDS ANALYSIS IN EFL COURSES
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Abstract
The subject of this paper is to analyze the needs of students of faculties of technology in Serbia in English language teaching in the field of technology and engineering professions. Since needs analysis as a procedure covers numerous factors – target situation analysis, discourse analysis, present situation analysis and teaching context analysis, needs analysis in this paper is viewed from learners’, teachers’ and domain experts’ point of view. In the first phase, we conducted present situation analysis on the English language use and teaching process from the point of view of technology students and English teachers. We concurrently conducted the needs analysis of the English language use from the point of view of employed technology engineers.
By using a survey as a method of data collection and questionnaire as a tool, the obtained results show poor frequency of the use of English for specific purposes in the teaching process from the point of view of students and English language teachers. The results from the employed technology engineers’ point of view, on the other hand, show frequent use of the English language for professional purposes as well as the importance of English language competence for better work performance, especially emphasizing reading, communicative and writing skills for professional purposes. Pedagogical implications of the research are the following: redefine ESP syllabi, introduce specific, professionally oriented language skills in the teaching process and increase class hours for senior students.
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