Saudi Health Sciences Students’ Needs in Learning English as Foreign Language

Abstract

The aim of this study is to suggests recommendations to improve English foundation programme at the Health Sciences College in Saudi Arabia based on an needs analysis framework. It attempts to investigate and understand Saudi health sciences students’ language needs when learning English as part of their studies to prepare them as future health professionals. It evaluates the effectiveness of the English language programme to improve students’ competence in English and the extent to which students were prepared by their academic studies to work in their specific fields. It was based principally on present situation analysis as well as target situation analysis to understand students’ needs in both situations three groups of participants were approached for the purpose of obtaining detailed information. The instruments used in this study to obtain information were semi-structured interviews with two EFL teachers, two students and one Saudi health physician working in the field of healthcare sector. A questionnaire was filled out by 41 respondents from the health sciences students. The triangulation of the sources of information and the instruments increased the validity and reliability of the analysis. The results of the analysis showed that students’ levels of English after completing the foundational English programme improved to some extent. It had some limitations, including its curriculum, the course-books’ content not suiting the students’ needs and not preparing them well for their academic disciplines and as future health professionals. Generally, the analysis showed the four language skills were very important for students’ academic studies and for their target careers as health professionals. This study recommends a set of modifications to be applied to the English language curriculum based on students’ needs.