A Study of Needs in Learning English for Engineering Purposes For Undergraduate Students, Bangkokthonburi University

Abstract

This research had the following objectives: 1) To study the background of language ability and engineering knowledge. 2) To study the needs and desires for learning; and 3) To study opinions on measuring and evaluating learning outcomes. This is survey research using mixed methods. The researcher studied the theory of learning needs as a research framework. The sample group that responded to the questionnaire was 200 students from the Faculty of Engineering, Bangkokthonburi University, which were obtained from simple random sampling techniques and interviews with 15 key informants. There are two types of research instruments: 1) the needs assessment questionnaires, and 2) the semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using basic statistics, including percentages (%), means (M), and standard deviations (SD). Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The research results found that

1. Most students have language proficiency according to the CEFR criteria at the "A2" level, they have an interest in learning this subject at the "interesting" level. They rate this subject "as important as any other subject" level, and they have the highest learning expectations for "expanding their specialist vocabulary."
2. Key informants agreed that the content that needed to be learned at the highest level was 1) work safety, 2) professional standards, and 3) materials and properties. The sample group agreed that reading skills were the skills they wanted to learn the most.
3. Students are satisfied that their classmates evaluate them in turn at "a very satisfied" level.

The research results found here will be useful in designing courses and developing teaching materials to train specialised English skills to respond to the needs of students learning and the engineering labour market.