Learning English without an obvious purpose? A task-based needs analysis of Korean undergraduates in English for general purposes (EGP) courses

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) across Asia, research on students’ communicative needs in English for General Purposes (EGP) courses remains limited, especially compared to studies on English for Specific Purposes. In Korea, where English courses are mandatory for graduation, EGP curricula often lack alignment with students’ real-world needs and aspirations. This study addresses this gap by examining the English learning needs of Korean undergraduates enrolled in EGP courses, with a focus on their career trajectories. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 145 students via surveys and from four professors through interviews. The findings highlight a strong demand for meaningful communication with speakers from diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly within an English as a foreign language context. Furthermore, the study introduces the concept of “insurance motivation,” wherein learners invest in improving English proficiency as a safeguard against future uncertainty. Drawing on these findings, the study proposes a task-based curriculum with practical implications for implementing TBLT within EGP programs.