Learners’ needs analysis for English for academic purposes in ethiopian higher education institutions: The case of Wachemo University freshman students

Abstract

This paper discovers the role of learner’s needs analysis in English for academic purposes courses in higher education before designing any language curriculum. The research is essential as it can be used to support students to be aware of their motivation to learn and a basis for teachers in helping students improve their learning motivation. Students have either instrumental or integrative or both motivational orientations while studying EAP courses (locally called communicative English skills) for their present and target situation needs. Therefore, 308 first-year students (using systematic sampling) and 41 instructors (using census technique) from the Social Sciences and Humanities College in Wachemo University, Ethiopia, participated in the study. A mixed-methods research design was used to collect the data. Survey questionnaire and interview instruments were employed for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The findings revealed that the students have instrumental and integrative orientations for learning English. However, instrumental motivation surpassed integrative motivation because most of the study participants thought that the students predominantly need English for practical reasons in the context of the present study than integrative orientations to pursue their academic courses at the university level. When the participants were asked about the students’ reasons for learning English, they indicated many aspects related to instrumental and integrative motivation. For reasons related to instrumental motivation, students learn English because it is helpful in getting a good job in the future, studying or working abroad, and passing a test (an exam), while the students who are integratively motivated learn English because they like the language and the culture. Consequently, through thorough needs analysis, course designers and practitioners should identify learners’ reasons for learning the EAP course before implementing the material in the EFL classroom.