Assessing the task based language needs for students of marine engineering

ABSTRACT Assessing language learners’ needs has been abundantly studied by a large number of researchers interested in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Needs Analysis (NA). However, task-based language needs of the students of marine (maritime) engineering have not been well-investigated, to the date. A qualitative research method was used. We collected the data through structured interviews with 20 participants selected through purposive sampling. The findings revealed that 17 tasks are needed by the students of marine engineering at the present situation. Moreover, 24 task-based language needs are mostly done by marine engineering students in the target situation. To conclude, maritime engineering students need to be proficient in receptive and productive language skills to accomplish required tasks in present academic and target situations. ESP educators, university administrators, and the other stakeholders, policymakers and administrators of marine engineering can employ the findings to improve the maritime students and stakeholders’ English proficiency.