Needs Analysis for ESP Courses in the Context of a Private University of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study thoroughly analyses the requirements of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered at Green University of Bangladesh with a focus on the specific linguistic demands of students who are majoring in Engineering, Business, and Computer Science. One hundred students and five instructors participated in the research, which employed a mixed-methods approach to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data collected using questionnaires, focus group discussion, interviews, and diagnostic tests. When comparing student needs with what is taught in ESP programs, the findings reveal a significant gap, particularly in the areas of academic writing, oral communication, and technical terminologies. Students, especially those having backgrounds in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), voiced concerns about the difficulty of technical language and public speaking, while teachers emphasized on the importance of expanding students' specialist vocabulary and providing more hands-on communication activities. Despite the importance of industry standards and real-world applications as per students' academic and professional performance, the research states that the current ESP curriculum falls short in meeting these demands. More hands-on activities and specialist content, together with better preparation for educators to lead specialized language courses, are two ways that the curriculum may be improved to better suit these needs. The paper highlights the need of tailoring ESP courses as per the needs of students in different disciplines and suggests curriculum modifications to prepare students for the global job market.