“Designing an ESP University Program Based on Needs Assessment Analysis: A Case Study from Albania” by Mirela Alhasani

Presentation from Day 2 of International seminar 2021 organised by CLIL-HET project.

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Title: Designing an ESP University Program Based on Needs Assessment Analysis: A Case Study from Albania
Presentation by: Mirela Alhasani
Recorded on: 12 March 2021

Abstract

This article discusses the incompatibility of university English programs in one Western Balkan country – Albania – with its market linguistic needs. It argues the necessity to propose and design tailored graduate programs on English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The accelerating rhythm of globalization processes require qualified ESP teachers equipped with the relevant content knowledge to teach tailored ESP courses at tertiary level of studies due to the advantageous attributes of ESP: functional communication through authentic class materials and constructive teaching approaches based on learners’ needs analyses. The SEM econometric model has been used to interpret the statistical data obtained from a survey conducted with 146 staff members from multinational companies in Tirana, 350 undergraduate students majoring in English and 30 full time English lecturers at Tirana university. In addition, some face-to-face interviews were held with high-profile English lecturers at Tirana university and business executives in Tirana. The findings strongly confirmed the need to prioritize the urgent establishment of the master’s program on English for Business and Economics for more effective content teaching and communicative competence of ESP lecturers and adult learners.