Innovation in Language Learning

Edition 17

Accepted Abstracts

The Impact of Needs Analysis on EMP Syllabus Design: Exploring Learners' and Teachers' Perspectives

Joanna Niemiec, Language Centre of Jagiellonian University - Collegium Medicum (Poland)

Abstract

English has become a lingua franca in several areas of technology, commerce and modern science  leading to emergence of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) that is teaching  and learning English
in a particular domain. It is an approach to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) that attempts to determine linguistic needs of a specific group of learners and design a course that  meets them in the most relevant manner. From this point of view, medical learners studying medicine or working in medical contexts need to be thought English for Medical Purposes (EMP). Consequently,  EMP classes concentrate on themes and topics specific to the medical field and on a restricted range of skills required by the medical leaner (e.g. taking a patient history,  reading and analyzing medical histories and case studies). Since ESP courses are addressed to an identifiable group of learners, teachers should know their learners’ objectives  and expectations towards the course, as well as their individual learning styles. To collect information about learners and their preferences, needs analysis is conducted which is an essential tool for gathering all the necessary facts and details to develop a relevant ESP course. It is an on-going process which allows the language instructors to revise the syllabus, determine learners’ progress and evaluate effectiveness of teaching methods and strategies. In order to identify the extent to which language teachers know their students’ learning characteristics, I carried out a double needs analysis – for students and for language teachers. Survey questionnaires were used to collect and interpret the data. The findings revealed discrepancies and similarities between the teaching/learning needs perceived by students and teachers. Additionally, the authentic data shows that ooccupationally-oriented classes not designed with particular groups in mind are inadequate and consequently no language teaching syllabus should be constructed without a thorough needs analysis.

Keywords: medical students, lacks, wants, necessities, EMP

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