Investigating the Necessity of Designing ESP Courses for First-Year Licence Degree Students in the Department of Biology at University of Ghardaia

Abstract

As globalization continues to reshape the world, attaining proficiency in the English language has become a sine qua non for professionals and academics across all domains. This has engendered an upsurge in the demand for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses which have been implemented at the tertiary level in Algeria. Nonetheless, the efficacy of these courses has been hindered by an insufficiency of pedagogues possessing specialized knowledge in the design of ESP course. This descriptive analytical research study aims to investigate the necessity of designing ESP courses to freshman Biology students at University of Ghardaia during the academic year 2022/2023. It sought to assess the adequacy of the existing courses in addressing the needs and expectations of students as well as to gauge the extent to which instructors adhered to ESP framework in their course construction. To conduct the current research, a triangulated approach was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods. The data collection process involved the distribution of a questionnaire to a sample of 102 First-Year students to obtain an in-depth understanding of their needs, deficiencies, desires, and satisfaction with the English course they are taking. Additionally, it involved semi-structured interviews with three of their teachers to gain insights through their process of designing their courses. Finally, classroom observations were undertaken to evaluate the implementation of the courses in practice. The study uncovered a significant need for designing and enhancing ESP courses in the Biology department at the University of Ghardaia to effectively cater to the needs and expectations of their students.