From Classroom to Practice: ESP-based Needs Analysis for Psychology Students

Abstract

This study aims to conduct a needs analysis for psychology students regarding an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course, and it seeks to identify the English language requirements associated with the professional careers of psychology students and to examine their specific linguistic needs at the University of Gujrat. Additionally, it investigates the gaps present in their current general English course. This study is limited to undergraduate students and faculty members of the Psychology department. The General English courses taught to psychology students focus on grammar and related linguistic features. These courses do not adequately prepare students for discipline-specific tasks. Therefore, a gap exists between academic preparation and professional practice. To address this issue, the study employed a mixed-methods approach. The data for this study were collected by using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. One hundred students from the BS psychology program are selected to complete the questionnaire, and three teachers from the psychology department are chosen for interviews as part of the study's sample. The collected data is then analyzed with the help of needs analysis theory (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987). The analysis indicates that general English courses fail to meet students' needs for using English in professional settings. These courses teach them grammar, syntax, and other linguistic features and do not focus on the specific use of the English language in psychology. There is a noticeable gap between professional use of English and general courses that can be addressed by adding an ESP course. Cooperation between English language instructors and psychology faculty is suggested for developing a curriculum that prepares students for academic and professional success.