Need Analysis to Develop English Writing Materials for ESP Instruction

Abstract

Need analysis becomes very essential before deciding on learning objectives, determining the assessment indicators, designing instructional material, as well as developing materials. The study aims to explore the students’ needs for English writing materials from various semesters in the Biological Department at Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare. In collecting the data, the method used were questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire was given to various semesters of Biological students while the interview was done with the English lecturer. The study resulted that most of the students were in the fair classification of mastering English writing skills.  Moreover, the students proposed material needed to include in the teaching of writing skills in English. The materials are making notes in class, writing essays, writing informal texts like email and short text on social media, writing a curriculum vitae, writing experiences, writing a summary and abstract, writing a critical essay, providing presentation slides, writing a business letter, and writing a research article in the English language.