Module 2: Lesson 1 - Needs Analysis

Question 1

What is a needs assessment?

Answer 1

Needs assessments refer to the collection of information about students’ previous interaction with the English language, their current reasons for learning English, their strengths and weaknesses, and other relevant information, including their interests and likes/dislikes.

We need to discover their goals, find out about their likes and dislikes, and understand how each student prefers to learn.

Question 2

What info do we need to collect on a needs analysis?

Answer 2

• Skills needed
• Student’s goals
• Motivation
• Strengths & weaknesses
• Previous experience
• Learner type
• Commitment

Question 3

Review the 3 learning styles for BE.

Answer 3

Visual: tend to learn best when they can see all the information, both written and images. They use diagrams, charts, and maps in order to make sense of new content and will often associate colors with information in order to remember it. Typically, they are avid note-takers and will often highlight key concepts in their notebooks (mimes & mindmaps).

Auditory: learn best when listening and repeating information. They prefer to actively participate in a class discussion rather than doing reading or writing, and might use songs or rhymes to help them learn new vocabulary or grammar structures. They may prefer to memorize material by reading it aloud and repeating it (videos & podcasts).

Kinesthetic: learn through touch and action. They prefer to be involved in “doing” rather than reading or listening. Activities that involve moving around the classroom and task-based learning appeal to kinesthetic learners as they are being active and solving problems (roleplays & simulations).

Question 4

What to keep in mind when looking at BE learner needs in:
- Communication
- Pedagogical
- Business

Answer 4

Communication: what kind of tasks the student usually carries out in English which require communication, as this is the most relevant material to include in the class content (telesales will be different from operations).

Pedagogical: focus on how your students need you, their teacher, to teach them. Pedagogic needs refer to three main aspects:
- The learners’ needs and preferred styles.
- The teacher’s needs.
- The means to carry out the course.

Business needs: what your students’ company needs to gain from this English course. Understanding how the company works, its philosophy, its hierarchy, and the market in which it operates will aid you in preparing appropriate material for your classes (culture-specific content or sales & negotiations).