This paper will discuss the findings of students＇ needs for an EL （English language） programme at the SDE （School of Distance Education）, USM （Universiti Sains Malaysia）, Penang. English is offered as a compuls...This paper will discuss the findings of students＇ needs for an EL （English language） programme at the SDE （School of Distance Education）, USM （Universiti Sains Malaysia）, Penang. English is offered as a compulsory subject for all its students since the School＇s inception in 1971, and the subject has not moved beyond that status quo. However, in the new millennium, with USM having been selected as a research university with an apex status, the expectation of its stakeholders has increased. SDE needs to keep abreast with what is on and what is up in distance education teaching and learning so that its programmes remain relevant. It cannot remain complacent with its present courses Taking into consideration the current needs of its stakeholders within the realm of distance teaching and learning, the researchers carried out a research on the need for an EL programme. Findings show that the students agree that an English programme will help them improve their language and their upward mobility. Majority of the students will sign up for the course if it is offered. This research will provide insights for curriculum developers and lecturers at the SDE to design a new English programme tailored towards meeting the needs of their adult students展开更多
文摘This paper will discuss the findings of students＇ needs for an EL （English language） programme at the SDE （School of Distance Education）, USM （Universiti Sains Malaysia）, Penang. English is offered as a compulsory subject for all its students since the School＇s inception in 1971, and the subject has not moved beyond that status quo. However, in the new millennium, with USM having been selected as a research university with an apex status, the expectation of its stakeholders has increased. SDE needs to keep abreast with what is on and what is up in distance education teaching and learning so that its programmes remain relevant. It cannot remain complacent with its present courses Taking into consideration the current needs of its stakeholders within the realm of distance teaching and learning, the researchers carried out a research on the need for an EL programme. Findings show that the students agree that an English programme will help them improve their language and their upward mobility. Majority of the students will sign up for the course if it is offered. This research will provide insights for curriculum developers and lecturers at the SDE to design a new English programme tailored towards meeting the needs of their adult students
