ESP Needs Analysis of Sophomore Physiotherapy Students

Abstract

The current study has been designed to investigate the needs analysis of Turkish ESP students of the School of Health Sciences. It aims to investigate the foreign language needs of undergraduate students in the Physiotherapy department. A total of 68 students from two ESP classrooms have participated in the study as well as two English instructors offering ESP courses to Physiotherapy students. Within this context a mixed-method research design is used, the study is based on both quantitative and qualitative data using semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires. The needs analysis questionnaire was originally developed by Khan (2007). According to the findings, students saw English as a tool for success in their current academics as well as in their future careers. Their interest in improving their writing and listening skills might be a result of their future goals, but the curriculum does not give the required tools, according to teacher interviews. Both parties agreed that the conventional method of teaching and teacher responsibilities should be abandoned in favor of a more modern approach in which the instructor directs pupils and encourages learning. The findings also indicated a gap between students' needs and teachers' perspectives and opinions. To develop an effective curriculum, administrators and material designers must consider student demands, as well as any required adaptations to materials.

Keywords

• ESP
• need analysis
• ELT

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