ESP AND NEEDS ANALYSIS: TEACHING ENGLISH TO ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is defined as the branch of English language education which focuses on training in specific domains of English to accomplish specific academic and workplace tasks. On the other hand, Needs Analysis (NA) is the primary pre-requisite of any curriculum design. Unfortunately, to our knowledge no systematic or empirical studies have been conducted so far in Bangladesh to assess the English language needs of our Engineering students. So, the main aim of this paper is to investigate the English language needs of engineering students. Having this in mind, selected five research studies concerning English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Needs Analysis of engineering students have been evaluated and reviewed. The findings of the selected researches demonstrate language learning needs, lacks and wants; problems and difficulties, and preferences of classroom teaching style of students who study engineering programs. Finally, based on theoretical ground and the researchers’ personal teaching experiences the paper offers some recommendations and strategies that might provide an insight to ESP teachers, especially in Bangladesh, in designing an Engineering English course.