ESL Needs Analysis Quiz

Group Information

• Group 11 members are Kara Rose Tito, Loraine Yonson, Ma. Theresa Tejamo, and Princess Gonzales.

Topic 1: Making Use of the Information Obtained

• Needs analysis results are compiled from various sources into ranked lists.

Topic 2: Applying the Findings of Needs Analysis

• The results of a needs analysis are used to create and adjust curricula.
• Needs are prioritized as this ensures the needs analysis is relevant.
• The existing curriculum is examined to see how the identified needs are met.
• Decisions are made about which needs are most critical, important, and desirable.

Needs Analysis Findings

• Needs analysis includes information about:
  • Situations where English is frequently used.
  • Differences between learners' current and desired proficiency levels.
  • Situations where difficulties are encountered.
  • Frequency of different transactions.
  • Comments made by learners about their experiences.

ESL Student Needs Analysis

• A study of ESL students attending university lectures identified issues in speaking and listening skills.
• Common difficulties include (by 1997):
  • Large-group discussions
  • Class discussions
  • Interactions with native speakers
  • Out-of-class projects
  • Small-group work
  • Demonstrator interactions

Common Difficulties in Discussions

• Understanding spoken English, due to:
  • Speaker's speed of speaking
  • Idiomatic vocabulary
  • Unclear words.
• Inability to respond quickly to a question.
• Fear of making mistakes.
• Inability to express meaning in English.
• Unfamiliarity with appropriate ways to express function in English.
• Inability to enter a discussion because some students dominate the discussion.

Applying the Findings to Curriculum Development

• Needs analysis helps improve learning programs.
• Prioritize identified needs.
• Needs will inevitably need to be prioritized because all cannot always be addressed.
• Analyze the current curriculum to understand how the needs identified are met (if they are).

Importance of Subjective Interpretation

• Needs have an objective aspect (the issue itself), but also have subjective interpretations.
• Subjective interpretations need to be considered alongside the objective aspects of the data.

Analysis Process

• Needs analysis considers the efforts made are thoughtful, investigatory and systematic.
• The results should be recorded carefully for replication and review.
• Contextualizing information in a philosophy is done using relevant perspectives and value positions.

Example Needs Analysis

• Different stakeholders (learners, academics, employers, teachers) have different views on curriculum improvements.
  • Learners need more support and less material.
  • Academics need better preparation.
  • Employers need better communication skills.
  • Teachers need better understanding of grammar.

Different Uses of Needs Analysis

• Helps evaluate existing programs or particular program components.
• Guides planning and development goals and objectives for new programs.
• Aids in developing assessments to measure learning.
• Aids in selecting appropriate teaching methods.
• Helps create or adapt syllabi with suitable resources.
• Can be used to support program reports.

Learner & Teacher Perspectives

• Needs analysis benefits from considering learner and teacher perspectives.
• Negotiation and understanding of each other's assumptions is beneficial.