Necessity of Need Based English Language Curriculum for Agriculture Students

Abstract

This study investigates the needs of ESP (English for Specific Purposes) learners for English communication, particularly the needs of First Year B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture Students from State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in Maharashtra. This study was conducted with the specific objective whether to introduce ESP material in the agriculture curriculum. Learners’ responses clearly indicate that the current English course is vitally useful for them. According to them writing skill has the lion’s share in the course. While, listening, speaking and reading were got somewhat less allocation. Majority of the student respondents used to read books related to agriculture and several went for magazines, novels and newspaper. So also, some of the learners found to read materials like online materials, comics, literary works, poems, etc. Almost all the learners preferred supplementary material to be added to present English course. This means that the present English language course has a fair scope for improving to match the entire needs of the learners i.e. in-study, post-study, professional and social needs. The study implies that there is an imperative need of inclusion of ESP as supplementary material to present English course prescribed to B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture degree course.