A needs analysis study on academic English needs of freshmen students in English medium instructed programs

The purpose of this study was to find out the academic English needs of the students in order to assist language preparation programs in designing a more effective curriculum and providing students with the academic English they need in English medium instruction universities. This study attempted to determine the needs of the students who studied in undergraduate programs by administering a needs analysis survey to both students and lecturers. The participants were 151 freshmen students and 12 lecturers in five English Medium Instructed programs in Yeditepe University in 2016. The needs analysis survey was prepared using a combination of some relevant questionnaires in the literature and outcomes of an exit level of a language preparatory school. The needs analysis questionnaire for students was supplemented by some close ended items with a yes-no response, but the questionnaire for lecturers did not have these items. The data on both the students and the lecturers were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean values enabled the interpretation of whether the items in the needs analysis questionnaire were important for the students and the lecturers. Also, the mean values assisted in getting a clear picture on whether these items in the needs analysis were practiced in the preparatory school or not. The results revealed that most of the students' needs were not met regarding academic English. Further, the needs of the students and the lecturers' opinions related to those needs in English Medium Instruction Programs were compared by using Independent Sample t-Tests. The results suggested that there is a significant difference between the opinions of the lecturers and those of students on the academic English needs of the students. In addition to data collected through the questionnaire, data was also collected from the lecturers through a semi-structured interview. The instructors who delivered the courses in English were interviewed regarding their students' English language needs. The results of the interviews indicated that most of the lecturers complain about the performances of the students on speaking and writing skill. Finally, based on the findings obtained from comparing the information from interviews and questionnaires, some suggestions were made that would hopefully help language preparation programs to offer a more effective instruction.