A Triangulated Study of Academic

Language Needs of Iranian Students of

Computer Engineering: Are the
Courses on Track?

A case study by Mahmood Reza Atai

and Leila Shoja
 “
“Everything is designed.
Few things are designed
well (Brian Reed).”
 1- General panorama
Case Study:
ESAP course in 2- Present and target
Iranian academic English needs

Universities 3- Implications
 Why How

What General Panorama Participants

Where When
 Lorem
ipsum

undergraduates Present
Academic
Lorem ipsum

English
congue

Needs
ESP
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ipsum

teachers
TARGET NEEDS Undergraduates ESP Subject Specific Graduates
Teachers Teachers

Grammar

Slides

Technical Dictionary

General DIctionary

Translation (P-E)
 TARGET NEEDS Undergraduates ESP Subject Graduates
Teachers Specific
Teachers

Internet Research

Reading comprehension

Writing scientific articles

Vocabulary

E-mail writing

Pronunciation
 Implications

Learner-oriented Teacher-oriented Planning-oriented

● low motivation ● large classes ● heterogeneity

● inadequate ● insufficient
● low GEP level
qualification hours

● lack of audio-visual ● excessive focus

● out-of-date
facilities on grammar
ESP textbooks
 Implications
Course Curriculum
Policy
designers developers
Ideal general English makers
proficiency level over Outline and operation of
against neglect of the students´ needs to Needs assessment
undergraduates’ level of formulate the objectives should be reconsidered.
language skills and of the program.
abilities on entry to the
courses.

dissatisfaction with
the programs
 Implications
Remedial semi-
specific courses

Follow-up
research

Textbooks→ renew and

Instructors update their content,
training skills & methodology.

Collaboration between ESP

instructors, subject-specific
and EFL teachers
 SUMMARY
❏ ESAP course under research → intuition-based

❏ Present situation academic English language needs

→ reading, writing, speaking and listening.

❏ Target situation academic English language needs

→ written skills and language components.

❏ Challenges of teaching and learning ESAP and And the

interpretation of the findings (implications) benefits of
the talk?
THANK YOU!!