Analyzing Learner Needs for Effective EAP Instruction

Effective needs analysis is crucial to the design and development of constructively aligned, meaningful English for Academic Purposes (EAP) provision. This chapter introduces a definition and key concepts related to needs analysis (NA) drawing on the broader literature in English language teaching and English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and that is specifically relevant to EAP. We explore what carrying out an EAP NA in an academic context entails. This includes methods for assessing learners’ needs (e.g., present situation analysis and target situation analysis of the academic context and discipline/subject) and common tools for analysis (e.g., questionnaires, self-assessment/evaluation surveys, and interviews). Both the discussion of terms and the section on specific tools are illustrated with examples from different types and contexts for EAP. The two main orientations of EAP (i.e., English for general academic purposes (EGAP), and English for specific academic purposes (ESAP)), and two main contexts for EAP courses (preparatory or foundational pre-degree and in-sessional during degree studies) are referred to. The importance of an approach to NA and subsequent course design where an understanding of academic contexts through cooperation and collaboration with subject lecturers and EAP learners is highlighted