Teachers’ Beliefs about the Role of Needs Analysis in the Process of EAP Course Design: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Needs analysis is a basic component in the process of course design that plays a vital role in specifying and identifying learners’ needs, wants, and necessities when designing courses and materials. The aim of this case study is to explore how needs analysis is perceived by a group of teachers in an EAP/EFL context who have the privilege of designing the courses they teach at an undergraduate academic level. The case study is guided and shaped by the philosophy and methodology of the qualitative approach. The data were collected by the method of semi structured interviews. The results of the study revealed the teachers’ focus and prioritization of needs analysis considering it as the foundation of the process of course design. The study presents a set of implications based on the participants’ practical experiences and perspectives