Nursing students' perceptions of English language learning challenges: A needs analysis

Given the role of English language use in nursing education, investigating specific needs of English language learners is crucial for academic and workplace settings. This research aims to investigate nursing students' specific language needs, learning challenges, and experiences of English language use. The present study used open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews to collect data from ۶۹ Iranian nursing students. Following thematic analysis, data were analyzed and several themes were identified. The findings showed that courses should cover both general and technical languages. Additionally, nurses perceived some language learning strategies as enjoyable and effective namely doing role-play and combining online and face-to-face instruction. As for language skills, undergraduate students considered all four skills as equally important, while master's students emphasized reading, and doctoral students underscored an urgent need for writing skill. The results provide valuable information to curriculum and material developers, ESP instructors and researchers, policy-makers, syllabus designers, and language educators to enhance the specificity and efficiency of English for nursing purposes courses.

کلیدواژه ها:

Needs analysis ، English for nursing purposes ، Language Learners ، professional communities