A needs analysis case regarding the use of English of Farming Engineering Students of the School of Agronomic Sciences of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina
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Date
2018Author
Belmonte, Andrea
Advisor
Lauría de Gentile, Patricia
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This study presents a needs analysis (NA) carried out at the School of Farming
Engineering (FCA) of the National University of Córdoba (UNC) to identify the present
and future needs of the students of the FCA in terms of the use of English required
during their university years and after graduation in their professional context in order
to redesign an ESP course. To obtain this information, questionnaires were administered
to 203 students and 90 teachers, among which there were subject matter (SM) teachers
and ESP practitioners. Eleven interviews were also conducted with authorities of the
FCA, disciplinary subject teachers, ESP practitioners, one graduate as well as with
Farming Engineers working in a multinational company of the agribusiness sector and
in a research and extension governmental agency. Also, a means analysis was carried
out to supplement the information gathered. The results showed that there was an
almost unanimous agreement that reading was the most important skill for
undergraduates and graduates in this context. However, there were some differences in
perception between students and teachers, especially regarding the importance given to
the other skills during the programme of studies and in the sub-skills more frequently
used by students in academic life. In contrast, teachers and students mostly agreed on
the sub-skills that graduates of the FCA must develop to perform well at the workplace.
Based on the results of the NA and the means analysis, the redesign of the existing ESP
course is recommended together with the creation of an extra-curricular course to
further develop reading skills.
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