ENGLISH FOR NURSING PRACTICE: CLT-ORIENTED ESP NEEDS, SELF-COMPETENCE, AND CURRICULUM GAPS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the English for Specific Purpose (ESP) needs, self-competence and curriculum gap of undergraduate nursing students at The University of Faisalabad (TUF), Pakistan. This study adopted quantitative research methodology based on CLT and conducted to survey 99 female nursing students from their 1st year to internship level. The data was gathered from a six-part structured questionnaire on a five-point likert scale which included questions on English learning background, English use in clinical settings, professional speaking and writing skills, course evaluation, ESP learning needs and preferences. This study was based on the needs analysis framework of Hutchinson and Waters (1987) which includes three elements: needs, lacks and wants and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and one-way ANOVA were used for analysis. Results revealed that the highest rating was for professional writing skills (M = 4.109) and ESP needs and learning preferences (M = 4.071) while the lowest rating was for actual use of English in clinical settings (M = 3.508). The mean (M = 2.889) of item B3, which analyzed English use with patients and families, was the lowest, indicating a critical disconnect between language teaching and the clinical language needs of patients and families. The reliability of the instrument was good (α = .900). There was a significant difference between the academic levels in ESP needs (F = 2.698, p = .035). Pearson correlation revealed that course evaluation was the most highly correlated predictor of ESP needs (r = .513, p < .001). This study validates that the needs of the Nursing students are similar to the other recent studies conducted in Pakistani universities in the private sector but the problem of patient communication is even more acute in Pakistani private sector universities. Implications of the results are important for designing ESP courses for nursing students at TUF and other institutions in Pakistan on the CLT model.