Research Article
Year 2025,
Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 13 - 32, 30.06.2025
Abstract
English language teaching maintains its importance in Türkiye, as in other countries where English is taught as a foreign language. Although changes have been made to the K-12 curricula over the years, they are required either due to the need to educate individuals who are competent to adjust to the necessities of the current era or as a response to underachievement in national and international tests. In this regard, needs analysis is a pivotal step in developing courses and curricula as it provides insight into what learners need to learn. However, majority of needs analysis studies in the Turkish context are conducted at the university level, leaving the language needs of high school students in the dark. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore English speaking and writing needs of the ninth graders studying at different school types. Employing a quantitative design through survey methodology, a needs analysis form was developed based on the thoughts and evaluations of 12 English language teachers (Çakar et al., 2023) teaching at the schools where the student surveys would be administered. Having validated the survey form through expert opinions and pilot-tested, data were collected from the participants (N=543). The results revealed that the students prioritized speaking needs over their writing needs. Moreover, students felt that their teachers' instruction of English was ineffective, and class hours, and learning environment were inadequate. The students' primary motives for learning to speak and write English included traveling or finding a good job.
Keywords
needs analysis language skills needs speaking skills writing skills language lacks language wants
Supporting Institution
The study is funded by TUBITAK 2209-A Research Project Support Programme for Undergraduate Students (Project No 1919B012211662)
Project Number
1919B012211662
References
- Ahmetović, E., & Dubravac, V. (2021). Elementary school EFL learning experience: A needs analysis. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 11(12), 1515-1525. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1112.02
- Akbari, Z. (2015). Current challenges in teaching/learning English for EFL learners: The case of junior high school and high school. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 199, 394-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.524
- Aljaafil, E., & Beyhan, Ö. (2022). EFL students’ language needs assessment in private general English classes. Research on Education and Psychology, 6(2), 152-171. https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1139641
- Arslan, R. Ş. (2013). An investigation of prospective English language teachers’ spoken communication skills: A case from Turkey. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 28(1), 27-40.
- Ayas, Ö., & Kırkgöz, Y. (2013). The academic and vocational English language needs of the school of health students. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 42(1), 39-55.
- Ayaz, A., Ozkardas, S., & Ozturan, T. (2019). Challenges with English language teaching in high schools in Turkey and possible suggestions to overcome them. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 5(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.543778
- Aysu, S., & Özcan, F. H. (2021). Needs analysis in curriculum design: Language needs of tourism students. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 11(2), 305-326. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.854993
- Chemir, S., & Kitila, T. (2022). Learners’ needs analysis for English for academic purposes in Ethiopian higher education institutions: The case of Wachemo University freshman students. Cogent Education, 9(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2026190
- Civriz, E., & Burakgazi, S. (2021). Ortaöğretim İngilizce dersi öğretim programına yönelik durum çalışması: öğretmenin programa bağlılığı ve öğrenci beklentileri. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 54(2), 559-597. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.694502
- Coskun, A. (2016). Causes of the" I can understand English but I can't speak" syndrome in Turkey. Journal on English Language Teaching, 6(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.6.3.8174
- Çakar, S., Gedikli, H. N., Çelik, H. (2023, November 3-5). Grade 9 students’ speaking and writing language skills: A needs analysis study from English language teachers' point of view. [Conference presentation]. The 21st INGED International ELT Conference, Getting off the Beaten Path in ELT, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Do, H. M. (2023). An analysis of EFL students’ writing needs: Considerations for writing task-based course design. REFLections, 30(2), 203–222. https://doi.org/10.61508/refl.v30i2.266643
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- EF English Proficiency Index. (2024). Education First. https://www.ef.com.tr/epi/regions/europe/turkey/
- Fatihi, A. R. (2003). The role of needs analysis in ESL program design. South Asian Language Review, 13(1), 39-59.
- Gel, N., & Kuyumcu Vardar, A. (2021). Analyzing the 9th grade English curricula between 1973-2017. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 8(2), 100-111. https://dx.doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2021.8.2.368
- Haque, N. (2014). A brief study on needs analysis. Express, an international journal of multidisciplinary research, 1(1), 2348-2052.
- İlgör, B. (2019). English language needs of vocational and technical Anatolian high school students. Journal of Language Research, 3(1), 14-25.
- Jamoom, O. A. (2021). EFL students’ needs for improving their writing skills. Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 4(4), 106-111. https://dx.doi.org/10.36348/sijll.2021.v04i04.004
- Kara, E., Ayaz, A., & Dündar, T. (2017). Challenges in EFL speaking classes in Turkish context. European Journal of Language and Literature, 3(2), 66-74. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejls.v8i1.p66-74
- Karakaş, A. (2013). The expansion of the English language across Turkey: Threat or opportunity. Mediterranean Journal of Humanities, 3(2), 159–159. https://doi.org/10.13114/mjh/201322477
- Kayaoğlu, M. N., & Akbaş, R. D. (2016). An investigation into medical students' English language needs. Participatory Educational Research, 3(4), 63-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.17275/per.16.spi.1.8
- Lee McKay, S. (2018). English as an international language: what it is and what it means for pedagogy. RELC Journal, 49(1), 9-23.
- Mahbub, M. A. (2018). English teaching in vocational high school: a need analysis. JEELS (Journal of English Education and Linguistics Studies), 5(2), 229-258. https://doi.org/10.30762/jeels.v5i2.835
- Masdianti, M., Erna, N., Suhartini, T., & Asdar. (2024). English needs analysis for students of polytechnic radio diagnostic engineering and radiotherapy. Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 3(1), 66-74. https://doi.org/10.56874/jeel.v5i1.1775
- MoNE. [Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı]. (2018). Ortaöğretim İngilizce Dersi (9, 10, 11 ve 12 sınıflar) Öğretim Programı. https://mufredat.meb.gov.tr/ProgramDetay.aspx?PID=342
- MoNE. [Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı]. (2023). Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı ölçme ve değerlendirme yönetmeliği. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2023/09/20230909-2.htm
- Macalister, J., & Nation, I.S.P. (2020). Language curriculum design (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Novariana, H., Sumardi, S., & Tarjana, S. (2018). Senior high school students’ problems in writing a preliminary study of implementing writing e-journal as self assessment to promote students’ writing skill. 2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC), 2.
- Nusrat, A. (2016). Developing ESL learners’ writing skills: A needs analysis. Journal of Teaching and Education, 5(2), 251-264.
- Özlem, A. Y. A. S., & Kirkgöz, Y. (2013). The academic and vocational English language needs of the school of health students. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 42(1), 39-55.
- Rao, P. S. (2019). The role of English as a global language. Research Journal of English (RJOE), 4(1), 65–79.
- Sancak, M., Alpaslan, I., Çağlı, A., Özdoğan, İ., Dizman, A., Sökmen, A., Ozen, E., & Vale, D. (2013). Turkey national needs assessment of state school English language teaching. https://www.tepav.org.tr/en/yayin/s/705
- Solak, E., & Bayar, A. (2015). Current challenges in English language learning in Turkish EFL context. Participatory Educational Research, 2(1), 106-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.17275/per.15.09.2.1
- Sönmez, G., & Köksal, O. (2022). A critical overview of English language education policy in Turkey. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 11(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v11i1.5721
- Tokoz-Goktepe, F. (2014). Speaking problems of 9th-grade high school Turkish learners of L2 English and possible reasons for those problems: Exploring the teachers and students’ perspectives. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 1875-1879. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.487
- Uztosun, M. S. (2013). An interpretive study into elementary school English teachers' beliefs and practices in Turkey. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 4(1), 20-33.
- Weigle, S, C. (2002). Assessing Writing. Cambridge University Press.
- Xu, J., & Qiu, X. (2022). Second language psychological speaking and listening needs: Scale development, symbiosis, and demographic differences. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 12(3), 483-507. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2022.12.3.7
Year 2025,
Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 13 - 32, 30.06.2025
Abstract
Project Number
1919B012211662
References
- Ahmetović, E., & Dubravac, V. (2021). Elementary school EFL learning experience: A needs analysis. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 11(12), 1515-1525. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1112.02
- Akbari, Z. (2015). Current challenges in teaching/learning English for EFL learners: The case of junior high school and high school. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 199, 394-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.524
- Aljaafil, E., & Beyhan, Ö. (2022). EFL students’ language needs assessment in private general English classes. Research on Education and Psychology, 6(2), 152-171. https://doi.org/10.54535/rep.1139641
- Arslan, R. Ş. (2013). An investigation of prospective English language teachers’ spoken communication skills: A case from Turkey. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 28(1), 27-40.
- Ayas, Ö., & Kırkgöz, Y. (2013). The academic and vocational English language needs of the school of health students. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 42(1), 39-55.
- Ayaz, A., Ozkardas, S., & Ozturan, T. (2019). Challenges with English language teaching in high schools in Turkey and possible suggestions to overcome them. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 5(1), 41-55. https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.543778
- Aysu, S., & Özcan, F. H. (2021). Needs analysis in curriculum design: Language needs of tourism students. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 11(2), 305-326. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.854993
- Chemir, S., & Kitila, T. (2022). Learners’ needs analysis for English for academic purposes in Ethiopian higher education institutions: The case of Wachemo University freshman students. Cogent Education, 9(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2026190
- Civriz, E., & Burakgazi, S. (2021). Ortaöğretim İngilizce dersi öğretim programına yönelik durum çalışması: öğretmenin programa bağlılığı ve öğrenci beklentileri. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 54(2), 559-597. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.694502
- Coskun, A. (2016). Causes of the" I can understand English but I can't speak" syndrome in Turkey. Journal on English Language Teaching, 6(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jelt.6.3.8174
- Çakar, S., Gedikli, H. N., Çelik, H. (2023, November 3-5). Grade 9 students’ speaking and writing language skills: A needs analysis study from English language teachers' point of view. [Conference presentation]. The 21st INGED International ELT Conference, Getting off the Beaten Path in ELT, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Do, H. M. (2023). An analysis of EFL students’ writing needs: Considerations for writing task-based course design. REFLections, 30(2), 203–222. https://doi.org/10.61508/refl.v30i2.266643
- EF English Proficiency Index. (2023). Education First. https://www.ef.com.tr/epi/regions/europe/turkey/
- EF English Proficiency Index. (2024). Education First. https://www.ef.com.tr/epi/regions/europe/turkey/
- Fatihi, A. R. (2003). The role of needs analysis in ESL program design. South Asian Language Review, 13(1), 39-59.
- Gel, N., & Kuyumcu Vardar, A. (2021). Analyzing the 9th grade English curricula between 1973-2017. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 8(2), 100-111. https://dx.doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2021.8.2.368
- Haque, N. (2014). A brief study on needs analysis. Express, an international journal of multidisciplinary research, 1(1), 2348-2052.
- İlgör, B. (2019). English language needs of vocational and technical Anatolian high school students. Journal of Language Research, 3(1), 14-25.
- Jamoom, O. A. (2021). EFL students’ needs for improving their writing skills. Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature, 4(4), 106-111. https://dx.doi.org/10.36348/sijll.2021.v04i04.004
- Kara, E., Ayaz, A., & Dündar, T. (2017). Challenges in EFL speaking classes in Turkish context. European Journal of Language and Literature, 3(2), 66-74. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejls.v8i1.p66-74
- Karakaş, A. (2013). The expansion of the English language across Turkey: Threat or opportunity. Mediterranean Journal of Humanities, 3(2), 159–159. https://doi.org/10.13114/mjh/201322477
- Kayaoğlu, M. N., & Akbaş, R. D. (2016). An investigation into medical students' English language needs. Participatory Educational Research, 3(4), 63-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.17275/per.16.spi.1.8
- Lee McKay, S. (2018). English as an international language: what it is and what it means for pedagogy. RELC Journal, 49(1), 9-23.
- Mahbub, M. A. (2018). English teaching in vocational high school: a need analysis. JEELS (Journal of English Education and Linguistics Studies), 5(2), 229-258. https://doi.org/10.30762/jeels.v5i2.835
- Masdianti, M., Erna, N., Suhartini, T., & Asdar. (2024). English needs analysis for students of polytechnic radio diagnostic engineering and radiotherapy. Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 3(1), 66-74. https://doi.org/10.56874/jeel.v5i1.1775
- MoNE. [Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı]. (2018). Ortaöğretim İngilizce Dersi (9, 10, 11 ve 12 sınıflar) Öğretim Programı. https://mufredat.meb.gov.tr/ProgramDetay.aspx?PID=342
- MoNE. [Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı]. (2023). Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı ölçme ve değerlendirme yönetmeliği. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2023/09/20230909-2.htm
- Macalister, J., & Nation, I.S.P. (2020). Language curriculum design (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Novariana, H., Sumardi, S., & Tarjana, S. (2018). Senior high school students’ problems in writing a preliminary study of implementing writing e-journal as self assessment to promote students’ writing skill. 2nd English Language and Literature International Conference (ELLiC), 2.
- Nusrat, A. (2016). Developing ESL learners’ writing skills: A needs analysis. Journal of Teaching and Education, 5(2), 251-264.
- Özlem, A. Y. A. S., & Kirkgöz, Y. (2013). The academic and vocational English language needs of the school of health students. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 42(1), 39-55.
- Rao, P. S. (2019). The role of English as a global language. Research Journal of English (RJOE), 4(1), 65–79.
- Sancak, M., Alpaslan, I., Çağlı, A., Özdoğan, İ., Dizman, A., Sökmen, A., Ozen, E., & Vale, D. (2013). Turkey national needs assessment of state school English language teaching. https://www.tepav.org.tr/en/yayin/s/705
- Solak, E., & Bayar, A. (2015). Current challenges in English language learning in Turkish EFL context. Participatory Educational Research, 2(1), 106-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.17275/per.15.09.2.1
- Sönmez, G., & Köksal, O. (2022). A critical overview of English language education policy in Turkey. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 11(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v11i1.5721
- Tokoz-Goktepe, F. (2014). Speaking problems of 9th-grade high school Turkish learners of L2 English and possible reasons for those problems: Exploring the teachers and students’ perspectives. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 1875-1879. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.487
- Uztosun, M. S. (2013). An interpretive study into elementary school English teachers' beliefs and practices in Turkey. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 4(1), 20-33.
- Weigle, S, C. (2002). Assessing Writing. Cambridge University Press.
- Xu, J., & Qiu, X. (2022). Second language psychological speaking and listening needs: Scale development, symbiosis, and demographic differences. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 12(3), 483-507. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2022.12.3.7
There are 39 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | English As A Second Language, Other Fields of Education (Other) |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | 1919B012211662 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | November 19, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | May 5, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 1 |
