INVESTIGATING THE LEARNERS’ NEEDS IN AN EAP CONTEXT

Abstract

Learning English for academic studies and professional purposes is one of the major demands of globalisation; therefore, meeting the specific needs of learners requiring English for Academic Purposes has become a necessity. In this regard, the present research aims at investigating the students‟ needs in the use of English for Academic Purposes at the Islamic Studies field in the context of Algerian higher education. It also aims to improve the teaching/learning processes of English language through providing a guideline to English for Islamic Studies courses which cope with the students‟ target needs. To carry out this study, a triangulation of data gathering instruments was employed. It includes a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview; the questionnaire was submitted to twenty one First-Year Master students at the Islamic Studies Department of Human Sciences and Islamic Culture Faculty, in Oran 1 University, Algeria. Whereas the semi-structured interview was conducted with two English for Specific Purposes teachers who are supposed to know more about their students‟ needs. Thus, needs analysis process has a crucial importance in making English for Islamic Studies learning more effective and successful. The research results revealed the absence of both real ESP courses for Islamic Studies and the formation of the teachers in ESP field. In addition, the target students have a palpable weakness in English language and they need to develop the four language skills, especially the interactive ones (listening and speaking). Moreover, conducting a needs analysis is a necessity so as to identify the Islamic Studies students‟ linguistic needs (lacks, necessities and wants) in English language for the design of effective courses for Islamic Studies. Based on the research findings, some recommendations have been provided for teachers or course designers to enhance the process of teaching English for Islamic Studies.