An evaluation of "Communication in English" at Technikon level for personnel management students of Anglo American

Abstract

The primary aim of technikons is to offer education in accordance with the manpower needs of the country. The design of a language syllabus should therefore also be dictated primarily by the long--term needs of the students. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the Communication in English course offered at technikons meets the language requirements of Personnel Management Officials of Anglo American. A literature survey on ESP (English for Specific Purposes) emphasizes that ESP courses should be learner-centred and that irrelevant material should not be included in the course. A needs analysis at the place of employment is a necessary initial step in the preparation of a language-teaching programme. It was decided to make use of Long's task-based syllabus as model for the analysis of language needs and the design of the syllabus. A questionnaire was sent to eight technikons in the RSA. Responses received indicate that the same Communication in English course is followed by students following different diplomas. This includes, amongst others, Personnel Management, Marketing and Sales Management, Public Administration and Secretarial Studies. An analysis of the current syllabus proves that it has not been "tailor-made" to meet the specific English language needs of Personnel Management students of Anglo American (the target group in this research). This means that irrelevant content and methodology are often included which lead to a lack of student motivation. The contributions of faculty colleagues from the Department of Personnel Management at Technikon OFS provided a broad basis for compiling a questionnaire to determine the English language needs of the target group. This questionnaire was distributed to the supervisors of the Personnel Management Departments of 10 mines of the South Region of Anglo American for completion and comment. There was a return rate of 90 %. The response received through the questionnaires provided details on language tasks required by Personnel Management students at technikons. An adapted syllabus providing for the specific English language needs of Personnel Management students of Anglo American could subsequently be compiled. Some guidelines on its implementation are also discussed.