Needs Analysis of College Business English Programs : Perspectives of Chinese International Students in South Korean Universities

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of the present study was to explore Chinese international students’ perceptions and needs of Business English programs in South Korean universities. Drawing on the framework of needs analysis, this study analyzed questionnaire data collected from 125 Chinese non-English major undergraduate students at three Korean universities who chose a Business English elective course. The results of the survey are as follows: First, the opportunity to learn Business English speaking and listening from native English-speaking professors was highly attractive to Chinese international students, while Business English writing and grammar tutoring was preferable from Korean professors. Second, Business English Speaking and Listening were regarded as the most vital and in need of improvement. Third, several suggestions were proposed thereby for curriculum enhancement; universities should offer a wider variety and increased number of Business English courses for different levels.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구의 목적은 한국 대학에서 수학 중인 중국인 유학생의 대학 비즈니스 영어 프로그램에 대한 인식과 필요성을 조사하는 것이다. 요구 분석 이론을 바탕으로 본 연구는 비즈니스 영어 선택과목을 선택한 한국 세 개 대학의 중국인 대학생 125명의 설문 조사 결과를 분석하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 중국인 유학생은 원어민 교수에게 말하기와 듣기를 배우기를 원했고, 한국 교수에게는 글쓰기 문법을 배우고 싶어했다. 둘째, 중국인 유학생은 말하기와 듣기 회화 능력을 향상하길 원했다. 셋째, 더 나은 교육 과정을 위해서 수준별로 가르쳐주는 영어 강의 커리큘럼과 다양하고 많은 비즈니스 영어 강좌가 필요하다는 의견을 제시하였다.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Chapter 1 Introduction 1
• 1.1. Motivation of the study 1
• 1.2. Purpose of the study 2
• 1.3. Research questions 2
• 1.4. Significance of the study 3
• Chapter 2 Literature review 5
• 2.1. Introduction 5
• 2.2. Needs Analysis 5
• 2.2.1. Definition and classification of needs 6
• 2.2.2. Definition and significance of needs analysis 9
• 2.2.3. Models of needs analysis 11
• 2.3. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Business English (BE) 16
• 2.3.1. Definitions and classification of ESP 17
• 2.3.2. Definitions and characteristic of BE 19
• 2.3.3. Needs analysis of ESP and BE programs 20
• Chapter 3 Methodology 23
• 3.1. Introduction 23
• 3.2. Questionnaire 23
• 3.3. Participants 25
• 3.4. Data analysis 27
• Chapter 4 Results 28
• 4.1. Introduction 28
• 4.2. Attitudes towards Korean and Business English 28
• 4.3. Experience of English study and Business English courses 30
• 4.4. Motivation 32
• 4.5. Preference for Business English skills 33
• 4.6. Satisfaction and expectation of the current curriculum 35
• Chapter 5 Discussion and Conclusion 37
• 5.1. Summary 37
• 5.2. Discussion 38
• 5.3. Implication 40
• 5.4. Limitation and suggestions for future research 41
• References 42
• Appendix A 47
• Abstract (in Korean) 54