A task-based analysis for a business English course

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs analysis for an ESL business English course aimed at improving learners’ general business English communication skills. A task-based needs analysis was conducted on business English use in the Korean business context with the purpose of identifying business English target tasks frequently performed by Korean business professionals. In addition, Korean business professionals’ previous experiences of taking business English classes were investigated as well as their attitudes and wants regarding the courses. Prior to collecting data, the literature on business English was reviewed. Then, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey were adopted as the methods of the needs analysis. Regarding the source for this study, Korean business professionals were included as the domain experts of the Korean business contexts, as well as the previous learners and potential clients of the targeted course. In total, 75 Korean business professionals from 13 different companies participated in the study. Through the interviews and the questionnaire survey, 26 business English target tasks were identified along with their frequency. These were classified into more abstract and super-ordinate target task types. Regarding the previous experiences and attitudes toward business English courses, only a small number of Korean business professionals seemed to have taken business English courses, although more than half of them were willing to take such courses. The findings of this study provided a sound basis and valuable implications for curriculum developers and teachers in developing business English courses.