Exploring engineering students’ needs in the design of an English for Specific Purposes reading course

In particular, English has become a universal language all over the world and has had a huge impact on several academic and professional fields. Therefore, not only has the teaching and learning of English as a foreign language (EFL), gained importance, but in particular, English for specific purposes (ESP). This article presents a case study that explores and identify engineering students’ needs and demands by means of a Needs Analysis that involves interviews and surveys in order to design an ESP Reading Course. This inquiry included identifying needs to design an ESP course which may provide students with the essential tools in order to understand, and manage accurately, specialized information, which is relevant for their professional development.