Geography ESP Textbooks' Evaluation based on Learners' Needs

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is purpose-driven English meant to serve particular purpose in specific disciplines. As many authors in the field of ESP agree, need analysis is always at the heart of ESP in designing appropriate course materials for learners in specific contexts. The purpose of this study was to examine the English language needs of Geography students to see whether the current Geography ESP textbooks meet the Geography students' needs. The analysis of the data revealed that Geography ESP textbooks are more ineffective for Geography students in their learning process and for their target use. The absence of listening skill in Geography ESP textbooks was the most important problem for their target use. The study underlines the need to modify Geography ESP textbooks to address the present and target needs of Geography learners.

Autorentext

Nasrin Samavi holds BA degree in TEFL from Azerbaijan University of Tabriz and MA from Maragheh Azad University. She is an employee of Education and Training Organization and also high school teacher of Bonab, East-Azerbaijan, Iran. Her research interests include ESP, Needs Analysis, and second language aquisition.