The Need for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) among Saudi University Students

Abstract

This research explores the need for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) among Majmaah University students admitted into the Colleges of Medicine, Applied Medical Sciences, and Engineering. The purpose of this study was to persuade Majmaah University stakeholders that a needs analysis was the only objective method to inform the course design process. Data were collected from 180 participants using a questionnaire. The participants came from the Colleges of Medicine, Applied Medical Sciences, and Engineering. Data analysis revealed that there were significant differences in the students’ EAP skills. An interpretation of the results showed that these differences were attributable to the role of EAP in the academic activities in the three colleges. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that EAP courses should not be confined to the Deanship of Common First year. That is, colleges should consider adding more advanced courses to serve the students’ academic purposes at advanced levels. It was also recommended that a series of needs analyses should be conducted to update stakeholders’ perceptions of what constitutes a relevant EAP syllabus at advanced levels.