2018 Annual Conference of China English Language Education Association (CELEA2018)

170 / 2018-06-29 22:39:32

A Needs Analysis of Core Abilities of Business English Major Students

core ability, Business English Major students, needs analysis

Plenary track > 区域特色英语课程设置研究

National Standard of Business English (2015) clearly defines the core abilities requirement for Business English major (BEM) students, yet only several researches focused on the BEM core abilities and their improvement so far, thereby our study become a necessary supplement in BE research area. The subjects of this study are 90 BEM students randomly taken from two universities in Northeast China (comprehensive category vs finance & economics category). The study aims to analyze and discuss the differences and similarities in such core abilities as English language ability and intercultural communication ability from needs analysis perspective based on the data collected through language proficiency scale CEFR (2001), ICCSRS (Zhong Hua & et al.) and a self-made questionnaire so as to bring up some insightful reference for the improvement of BEM students’ core abilities and curriculum adjustment. The major findings can be summarized as follows: first, overall English language ability and intercultural communication ability vary less significantly, yet some differences exist in such sub-competences as oral expression, listening comprehension and strategic competence. Second, the main differences in the core abilities are related to the university category and influenced by the curriculum design to some extent. Third, the weakness in some core abilities indicates the necessity of readjustment of current BE course design and curriculum. The study is hoped to be referential and helpful to the BE teaching and learning in the future.