English for Specific Purposes: A Study of Science Major Students’ Needs at ENS-Rabat
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34874/PRSM.iajesp-vol2iss1.18847Keywords:
English for Specific Purposes, Needs Analysis, Higher Education, Science MajorsAbstract
English in context is relatively new to Moroccan higher education in that a major swift from General English to English for Specific Purposes has been noticed in the last couple of years at Moroccan universities. This change of focus in English language teaching is accounted for by the fact that English is world-widely recognized as the language of academia and scientific research. The present paper seeks to identify the English language needs of science major graduates at ENS-Rabat and showcases a short-period trial in an attempt to include ESP classes together with General English in Chemistry and Physics graduate programs. The sample of 63 students who took part in the study allowed us to assess their linguistic level, determine their needs, and evaluate the syllabus designed for these experimental classes. Results showed the students’ needs do not fall within the scope of ESP but rather under that of GE. This issue portrays the actual situation of English language teaching in higher education institutions. It is frustrating for both the teachers and the students to cope with the deteriorated state of English language teaching and the lack of planning and orientation, let alone imposing ESP classes with no solid grounds.
References
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