A STUDY OF NEEDS IN LEARNING ENGLISH FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, BANGKOKTHONBURI UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This research has three objectives 1) to study the English ability and engineering knowledge background. 2) to study the needs and desires for learning ESP; and 3) to study opinions on measuring and evaluating English learning outcomes. This was survey research using mixed methods. The researcher used the theory of learning needs as a research framework. The sample group that responded to the questionnaire were 200 students from the Faculty of Engineering, Bangkokthonburi University, which were obtained from simple random sampling techniques, and 15 key informants were interviewed. There were two types of research instruments: 1) the needs assessment questionnaires, and 2) the semi-structured interview questionnaires. Data were analyzed using basic statistics, including percentages (%), means (x̅), and standard deviations (S.D.). Qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The research results found that 1) Most students had language proficiency according to the CEFR criteria at the "A2" level, and they had an interest in learning this subject at an "interesting" level. They rated this subject "as important as any other subject" level, and they had the highest learning expectations for "expanding their specific vocabulary." 2) Key informants agreed that the content that was 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 were satisfied that their classmates took turns evaluating them at "a very satisfied" level. The research results found here will be useful in designing ESP courses and developing teaching materials to train specialized English skills to respond to the needs of students and the engineering labour market.