UnitThreeNAtoCD]

ESP: Unit Three:

ESP: Unit Three From Needs Analysis to Course Design

A Definition…:

A Definition… “Needs analysis is the process of establishing the what and the how of a course.” Dudley-Evans,T. and St. John M-J. (1998)

Needs analysis:

Needs analysis Research? Questionnaires? Interviews? Job Shadowing? A needs analysis is unique to a specific training situation. There is no standard model of needs analysis and no “single best way” to do it. Frendo (2005)

The Diagnostic Test:

The Diagnostic Test Analysis of NA results : definition of specific subskills and language items needed for each task (See Ellis and Johnson (1994) Ch.9) Creation and administration of diagnostic test - task based ? Analysis of DT results – setting of specific goals and objectives for the course

Analysing the DT Results:

Analysing the DT Results What tasks can the learners already perform competently? What tasks can they perform adequately? C. What tasks do they perform inadequately?

Analysing the DT Results:

Analysing the DT Results What tasks can the learners already perform competently? What language/subskills do they use to do so? Can we “take these for granted” and ignore them in the course? Can we use them to allow learners to build on existing knowledge?

Analysing the DT Results:

Analysing the DT Results What tasks can they perform adequately? How could their performance in these tasks be improved? What language items/subskills would be necessary to create this improvement? Is it feasible to include these on the course given the learners’ current level? Is it feasible/advisable to include these on the course given time (or other) constraints?

Analysing the DT Results:

Analysing the DT Results What tasks do they perform inadequately? What language items/subskills would be necessary to create this improvement? Is it feasible to include these on the course given the learners current level? Is it feasible/advisable to include these on the course given time constraints?

Analysing the DT Results:

Analysing the DT Results How does all this relate to the learners’ perceived needs, goals set for the course by the client organisation etc ? What are the task priorities for the course ? Establishment of specific aims Definition of language/subskill content

References:

References Dudley-Evans,T. & St. John M-J. (1998) Developments in ESP , Cambridge : CUP Ellis, M. & Johnson, C. (1994) Teaching Business English , Oxford : OUP Frendo, E. (2005) How to Teach Business English , Harlow: Pearson Longman

Slide 11:

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