Journal of Educational Sciences > Volume 6, No. 1, 1994

An ESP Program Model for Graduate Students at King Saud University Based on Academic and Occupational Needs / Reema Al-Jurf

The aim of this study was to design an English for specific purposes course for graduate students at the Colleges of Arts. Administrative Sciences and Agriculture, King Saud University, based on their academic and occupational needs to learn English. A two-part needs assessment questionnaire was administered to a sample of 137 students in the three colleges. It was found that students mainly need to learn English to read specialized material in English and to translate information required for their courses. research and thesis into Arabic. To meet students' needs, it was suggested that an ESP course for graduate students should focus on developing students’ reading. translation and study skills. Students shoud read different types of authentic specialized texts. An orientation program should be used for ESP instructors. Students' proficiency level should be determined by a placement pre-test. Students of thesame major should be grouped together. A 4-6 week intensive course should be used as a transition period for those students who are less proficient in English. The short course may focus on reading simplified and short specialized texts, and developing students' basic reading skills. Evaluation should aim at assessing students' ability to read authentic specialized texts and their ability to apply reading. translation and studyskills.