The Gap between Perceived and Achieved English Communication Needs of Saudi Management and Business Administration Students: An ESP Paradigm

Abstract

English has gained institutional as well as social acceptance in
Saudi Arabia, especially as the language of higher education. Institutes of
higher learning make sure that their students achieve an acceptable
standard of communicative competence. But, despite many efforts, the
discrepancy between the perceived and achieved needs of learners in
English communication is observed. This is specifically true of specific
course students, such as Management and Business Administration
students, who are taught English to enhance their professional
communicative competence in English. An empirical study based on
survey was conducted at King Abdulaziz University—Rabigh Branch,
Saudi Arabia, to investigate whether the English communication needs of
Management and Administration students envisaged by the University
matched the needs perceived by these students for themselves in the
changing global scenario regarding the use of English, and if there is any
discrepancy between the two, whether students wish for a change in the
way English is taught to them currently. The results obtained from the
survey show that students advocate for English for Specific Purposes
(ESP) for themselves, with increased semesters of teaching and inclusion
of more books in English catering to business English requirements. The                                                                                                                       implications of the study are far reaching as the students’ perception of
their English communication needs indicates the need for stronger
advocacy for the inclusion of ESP courses, especially in the vocational
programs at the university, such as MBA. 

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.1.15