An Analysis of Medical Students' English Language Needs

Needs analyses are the cornerstone of English for Specific Purposes courses. This paper reveals a methodology and results of a needs analysis study which investigated students' and instructors' needs in one medical faculty in EFL context. For the purpose of the study, perceptions of the stakeholders of the current program were investigated via questionnaires and interviews. This article reports on the results of a needs analysis study which investigated medical students' English language needs in an EFL context. Findings from the survey study indicate some constants in these students' needs, e.g. a prioritizing of reading skills, as well as several evolving trends in the students' and professors' perceptions of their foreign language needs, including a greater recognition by the professors of the importance for academic writing skills for research purposes, and speaking and listening skills to ease professional communications at international conferences. Both students and professors also gave increasing emphasis on the overall importance of English and on the incorporating of technology into EFL instructional approaches. Suggestions for effective curriculum have been provided.