Abstract

With the fast development of economic globalization, the increasing enrollment in institutions of higher education and development of English teaching in primary and secondary schools, the society and employers have already made higher demands on foreign language talents. The talents who are favored are those people with a good command of English and knowledge in other fields. 

Needs analyses are conducted of business English majors and employers respectively in this thesis, which is aimed to check whether the current curriculum meet the needs of students and employers and put forward solutions to improve the students’ learning. 

After the analysis of the questionnaire and interview, the problems of the current curriculum design are concluded: the large proportion of curricula about general English language skills and small number of required curricula and electives on business English. This thesis also puts forward some solutions: cut down the class hours of curricula on general English language skills; increase the required curricula and electives on business English; pay attention to practice training. 

Keywords: Business English major; curriculum design; needs analysis

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

2.1 The Definition of Curriculum Design-2

2.2 Related Studies on Business English-3

3. Introduction to Needs Analysis Theory-4

3.1 The Definition of Needs-4

3.2 The Classification of Needs-4

4. Investigation into the Business English Majors’ Needs-6

5. Results and Discussions-8

5.1 Students’ Motives to Choose Business English Major-8

5.2 Students’ Employment Objectives-8

5.3 The Most Important Language Skill of Business English-9

5.4 The Degree of Students’ Satisfaction with Present Curriculum Design-11

5.5 The Results of Interview with the Employers-12

5.6 The Problems and Solutions-13

6. Conclusion-15

Works Cited-16

Appendix I-17

Appendix II-19