the foreign language learning needs of undergraduate engineering students enrolled in the faculties of architecture and electrical in Iran
Subject Areas : آموزش زبان انگلیسیMahbubi Shima 1 , ّّFarah Shooraki 2 *
1 - Department of English, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
2 - Department of English, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Keywords: academic learning needs, ESP content, EAP methodology, EAP instructors,
Abstract :
Abstract This study aimed to investigate the foreign language learning needs of undergraduate engineering students enrolled in the faculties of architecture and electrical in Iran. A total of 133 undergraduate students aged between 20-25 years, along with 30 subject-specific instructors from Azad and State universities of Yazd, Iran, participated in the study. The study was conducted using a qualitative-quantitative survey design, which involved questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with 20 subject-specific instructors and ten undergraduate students in their eighth semesters. The analysis of qualitative and statistical data revealed that most students needed to master the English language before they attended their specialized courses. Over one-third of the students expressed dissatisfaction with the teaching methodology, evaluation methods, amount of foreign culture taught in class, and content of the textbook. The subject-specific instructors also expressed dissatisfaction with their students’ language skills. It can be concluded that in Iran, the English for Specific Purpose (ESP) course does not fully prepare the students to embark on their studies, as it does not sufficiently take into account their learning needs, present level of foreign language proficiency, objectives of the course, resources available in terms of staff, materials, equipment, finances, and time constraint, as well as the skill of the teachers and the teacher’s knowledge of the specific area.
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