“LEARNERS' NEEDS AS A STARTING POINT FOR DESIGNING A SYLLABUS FOR ESP: A CASE STUDY OF LAW STUDENTS AT SEEU”

“LEARNERS' NEEDS AS A STARTING POINT FOR DESIGNING A SYLLABUS FOR ESP: A CASE STUDY OF LAW STUDENTS AT SEEU”

Saliu, Basri

The study focuses on the issue of designing a syllabus for English for specific purposes courses and shares the view that according to the nature of such courses, their content should be based on a thorough investigation of the learners’ needs. The aim of the research is to launch a firm base for the subsequent production of a syllabus for an ESP course for Law at South East European University by exploring and investigating the needs of course participants or respondents to this research. The research examined needs analysis views of ESP students and teachers involved in ESP program. The study consists of two parts, theoretical and empirical part. The theoretical part draws out the general structure of syllabi, determines the place of needs analysis in the process of ESP syllabus design, and clarifies the difference between objective and subjective needs analysis. It describes the conventional techniques engaged for conducting a needs analysis. The theoretical part forms a strong basis for an empirical study, the main findings of which are reported in the following part of the research. The study applies both quantitative and qualitative research instruments The survey about ESP learners’ preferences and needs and the Individual Background Questionnaire provided a good quantitative basis for needs analysis in order to help ESP course designers to design a syllabus with more relevant content. Qualitative data was provided from semi-structured, open-ended interviews to reveal learners’ views and expectations for ESP subject. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, cross tabulation and content analysis. The findings of this study firmly suggest that there are many perceived subjective and objective needs of ESP learners’ at law faculty which should be considered in the design process of the new syllabi for ESP. Most students and teachers seemed to believe that their needs for ESP do not entirely match the general learning outcome of ESP course at law faculty and the study suggest the general learning outcome be tailored in line with the beliefs of what students think they need in ESP for Law. Most importantly, this study suggests that the needs analyses of learners’ and teachers’ views for ESP syllabi, facilitates the process of designing a better syllabus for ESP students in Law. The idea is to conform learners’ “wants” with those perceived by teachers or courses designers in the learning outcome. Keywords: English For specific Purposes, Learners’ needs, Needs analysis, Syllabus

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2014

3377