Exploring the EAP needs of students of knowledge and information science: A triangulated study in Iranian EFL context

Abstract

Given the lack of a systematic and comprehensive needs analysis to inform EAP programs in Iran, the present study aimed to explore the EAP needs of students of knowledge and information science. Questionnaires, undergraduates’ self-assessment, teachers’ evaluation of undergraduates’ language abilities, and semi-structured interviews were used for eliciting data from the students (95 undergraduates and 18 graduates) and 17 teachers (9 ELT and 8 content teachers). Despite the differences between different groups of stakeholders’ perceptions on undergraduates’ present and target situation needs, the results showed that there are serious gaps between students’ present language abilities and target situation academic English demands. Moreover, the students showed difficulty with all language skills, sub-skills, components, and study skills. Low level of language proficiency made undergraduates prefer an EGP-oriented EAP course devoid of specificity. The implications provided can be used for the renewal of EAP curriculum, course design, and materials development.