Probing ESP Teaching Context: Case of Biology Learners at Ibn-khaldoun University, Tiaret, Algeria

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the ESP teaching situation in the biology department of the University of Tiaret, where the absence of syllabuses, possibly essential for both educators and learners, was observed. In addition, the non-existence of these teaching documents has influenced the ESP teaching process and it is partly responsible for learners‟ low level in English language proficiency. In this light, this study aims at designing an ESP syllabus and hopefully improving the quality of teaching for this research context. A students‟ needs analysis questionnaire, and an interview with teachers were employed to collect data about the students‟ objectives, wants, preferences, as well the materials to be adopted for the teaching and the learning of the content of the syllabus. Ultimately and on the basis of this enquiry, a standard ESP syllabus was devised for this research population.