English for Specific Purposes
Wrld

The Linguistic Needs and Preferences of Undergraduate Students of Zoology: A Case Study of Government College University

Farhat Jabeen

farhat2iub@gmail.com

Government College University, Faisalabad 

Muhammad Asim Mahmood

masimrai@gmail.com

Government College University, Faisalabad 

Abstract

This study aims to specify the language needs of the undergraduate students of Zoology at G.C. University, Faisalabad. For that purpose, we developed a questionnaire to obtain students’ opinions about their linguistic needs in different contexts. The questionnaire focuses to elicit responses concerning students’ needs regarding language. The study reveals some interesting patterns such as students’ preference for speaking skill, their liking for the British English, their claim that they need English not only in the country but also abroad, their eagerness to learn the grammar of the target language and their claim about their “good” current proficiency level in English. However there are certain predictable patterns as well. As the respondents are all students, their immediate linguistic needs are academic and the context where they require English most frequently is lecture room. This study is significant as it provides a background for the ESP practitioners and helps them to design courses and develop material for undergraduate students of Zoology.

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