A Task-based Needs Analysis of an English for Academic Purposes Reading Program

概要

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This paper will focus on the development and results of a needs analysis conducted within an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) reading program at an American university. Based on literature addressing current issues in EAP reading and needs analysis implementation, a student questionnaire was developed, administered and evaluated to form the basis of this project data. A factor analysis was also conducted to further investigate the validity of the questionnaire results. Overall, the results suggest the need to incorporate a more task-based approach into EAP reading curriculum. More specifically, task-type should accurately reflect those that learners are required to perform in their academic courses and possibly differ according to certain sub-groups of the learner population (e.g., graduate and undergraduate students). Additionally, reading materials that students commonly encounter in academic courses should be used for EAP reading instruction. Suggestions for the improvement of future EAP task-based needs analyses are provided.