Needs Analysis
Mohammed Imad
• Needs analysis is a procedures used to collect
information about learners’ needs.
• Needs analysis was introduced into language
teaching through the ESP movement.
Purpose of needs analysis
• To find out what language skills a learner needs.
• To help determine if an existing course adequately addresses the needs of
potential students.
• To determine which students form a group are most in need of training in
particular language skills.
• To identify a change of direction that people in a reference group feel is
important.
• To identify a gap between what students are able to do and what they need
to be able to do.
• To collect information about a particular problem learners are experiencing.
• The first step in conducting needs analysis is to
decide what is its purpose or purposes.
• Needs analysis includes the study of perceived and
present needs as well as potential and
unrecognized needs.
• Needs analysis may take place prior to, during, or
after a language program.
What are needs?
• The term needs is not as straightforward as it might
appear. Needs are often described in terms of a
linguistic deficiency.
• However, there is another view that offers a different
perspective and states that need is not a thing that
exists and might be encountered ready-made on the
street. It is a thing that is constructed.
• In conducting needs analysis there are many different
stakeholders.
• The target population in needs analysis refers to the
people about whom information will be collected.
• Planning a needs analysis involves deciding who will
administer the needs analysis and collect and analyze the
results.
• When conducting a needs analysis, the triangular
approach is advisable.
The procedures used in collecting data for needs analysis:
• Questionnaires
• Self-rating
• Interviews
• Meetings
• Observation
• Collecting learner language samples
• Task analysis
• Case study
• Analysis of available information
• It is also important to remember that because
needs are not objective facts but subjective
interpretations of information from a large variety
of sources, a great deal of consultation is needed
with the various stakeholders to ensure that the
conclusions drawn from a needs analysis are
appropriate and relevant.
Needs analysis can be used in different ways, for example:
• It may provide the basis for the evaluation of an existing program.
• It may assist with developing tests and other assessment procedures.
• It can help with the selection of appropriate teaching methods.
• It may provide the basis for developing a syllabus and teaching materials.
• It may provide information that can be used as part of a course or program.
Thank You