Importance, Needs and Problems of learning English: An analysis for a Need-based syllabus of English for UG Engineering students

Abstract

The present research paper makes an attempt to review the opinions of students of undergraduate engineering college in Gujarat regarding the importance, needs and problems faced by students while learning English language. The three perspectives are taken into account for the requirement of need-based syllabus of English for undergraduate engineering students. As per the syllabus displayed on the university websites, it is observed that the students of engineering learn English for not more than one semester. This is a plight not only in the universities in Gujarat but also in majority of technical institutes in India. A number of research papers and PhD works state that due to less amount of time given to language learning, making fluent communicators in English is a big challenge for the teachers of English in engineering institutes. Unavailability of language labs and infrastructural facilities are other reasons for poor language learning. Poor syllabus is one of the important factors affecting the learning of English. Therefore the present paper attempts to understand the opinions of the students and look into the aspects of importance, needs and problems of learning English and recommends a need-based syllabus to be designed for engineering students.