Needs Analysis of Iranian Undergraduate EFL Learners in Different Fields of Study toward their ESP Courses: Gender Groups in Comparison

Needs Analysis of Iranian Undergraduate EFL Learners in Different Fields of Study toward their ESP Courses: Gender Groups in Comparison

English for specific purposes (ESP) plays an important role in technology and commerce which began from the early 1960s. Thus, the main purposes of conducting this study were to investigate whether these ESP courses fulfill needs of learners and whether gender affects EFL learners attitudes towards these ESP courses. Another objective of the study was to explore the significant difference among the participants of the three fields of study groups in terms of their attitudes towards ESP courses. Participants of the study were 20 junior male and 25 female in different fields of study (computer engineering, physical education, and accounting). The average age of them was 18-34. A self-design questionnaire was distributed. Results of the study revealed that gender did not affect the learners attitudes toward ESP courses; all of the students have high attitudes toward the ESP courses. Results also indicated that there is not any significant difference between the fields of study groups in terms of their attitudes toward the ESP course. Results of data analysis showed that compared to female counting students, male students had more positive attitudes towards ESP courses. Regarding computer students, females had more positive attitudes toward ESP courses than males, and female physical education students had more positive attitudes toward ESP courses.

English for specific purposes (ESP) plays an important role in technology and commerce which began from the early 1960s. Thus, the main purposes of conducting this study were to investigate whether these ESP courses fulfill needs of learners and whether gender affects EFL learners attitudes towards these ESP courses. Another objective of the study was to explore the significant difference among the participants of the three fields of study groups in terms of their attitudes towards ESP courses. Participants of the study were 20 junior male and 25 female in different fields of study (computer engineering, physical education, and accounting). The average age of them was 18-34. A self-design questionnaire was distributed. Results of the study revealed that gender did not affect the learners attitudes toward ESP courses; all of the students have high attitudes toward the ESP courses. Results also indicated that there is not any significant difference between the fields of study groups in terms of their attitudes toward the ESP course. Results of data analysis showed that compared to female counting students, male students had more positive attitudes towards ESP courses. Regarding computer students, females had more positive attitudes toward ESP courses than males, and female physical education students had more positive attitudes toward ESP courses.