FROM LANGUAGE NEEDS ANALYSES TO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION Nana Toradze Language Training School National Defense Academy, Georgia

Seneca the Younger “If a man knows not to which part he sails, no wind is favorable.” 2

Language Training School Teachers : 56 Students :399 English 292 students French 28 students Turkish 29 students German 22 students Russian 23 students Farsi 5 students 3

From Language Needs Analyses to Classroom Instructions Why? a needs analyses is the starting point for a syllabus/course design. Which way? Keith Johnson - ''In order to plan a foreign language teaching we need to find a way of analyzing learners' needs.” 4

From Language Needs Analyses to Classroom Instructions John McKillip “Need Analysis: Tools for the Human Services and Education” “Needs are value judgments that a target group has problems that can be solved.” “Needs Analyses involves the identification and evaluation of needs which is a tool for decision making in the human services and education.” 5

From Language Needs Analyses to Classroom Instructions Goal Provision of different foreign languages to the target groups in order to enable them to fulfill required needs (ISAF, IMET) Objectives Mastering target groups (students) in different language skills 6

From Language Needs Analyses to Classroom Instructions GELNA (General English Language Needs Analyses Instrument) Kanto Gakuin University, Japan 7

Language Needs Analyses Instrument Put numbers in accordance with priority of the issue for you (1-20): a)I need to learn concepts in cross-cultural communication such as cultural values. b)I need to practice many activities that make me understand my own culture and aware of cultural differences. c)I need to learn how to handle situations when I encounter cross-cultural differences. d)I need to take a class that uses authentic audio-visual materials such as videos, CDs, and audio. e)I need to practice listening to be able need to practice listening extensively to get the main ideas. f)I need to learn reading skills such as reading rapidly and getting the gist. g)I need to practice reading by focusing on the grammar of English texts and translating them into Georgian. h)I need to study the structures of English sentences effectively in English. i)I need to learn to discuss issues effectively in English. j)I need to practice making speech and presenting ideas in English. 8

Language Needs Analyses Instrument k) I need to take a class in which my final grading is decided based on my score on test performance such as a speech. l) I need to take a class where I solve many ALCPT, ECL, and STANAG 6001 questions. m) I need to learn test-taking strategies to solve problems in ALCPT, ECL, and STANAG 6001 tests. n) I need to practice writing papers in English. For example how to write Military Reports, After Action Reports and other kind of formal letters. o) I need to practice writing business letters in English. p) I need to take a class in which my final grading is decided based on the result of my paper. q) I need to learn to work out the meaning of the new vocabulary from the context when I am already on elementary level and do not look up the meaning of the word in a bilingual dictionary unless it is inevitable. r) I need to learn all grammar rules thoroughly so that I was able to produce accurate speech and writing. s) I need to understand stress pattern and intonation. t) I need to practice watching movies in English in order to be able to understand the content. 9

Language Needs Analyses Instrument Results I II III IV - I need to practice making speech and presenting ideas in English -I need to learn to discuss issues effectively in English. -I need to take a class where I solve many ALCPT, ECL, and STANAG 6001 questions. - I need to take a class in which my final grading is decided based on my score on test performance such as a speech. - I need to practice writing papers in English. - I need to practice writing business letters in English. - I need to learn all grammar rules thoroughly so that I was able to produce accurate speech and writing. - I need to learn how to handle situations when I encounter cross- cultural differences 10

Fulfilling English language needs of students Requirements: exposure to military bias texts, terms blended with other aspects of language learning - reading, listening, grammar and writing. classroom instructions must be imaginative in creating learning environment that invites students to participate actively during learning process. Materials: American Language Course; General Military Topics; Army Topics 1, 2; Topics in counterinsurgency; Campaign 2, 3. 11

Fulfilling English language needs of students Possible reasons: 1)not having appropriate environment 2)social or ethnic characteristics 3)insufficient confidence Possible solution: - More speaking activities: group work speaking activities and individual speaking performances. 12

Group work benefits 1.Your students talk 2.Your students help each other 3.Your students challenge each other 4.Your students use language creatively 5.Your students encourage each other 13

Benefits of individual performance 1.Builds confidence 2.Develops ability for giving presentations 3.Students get motivated by other students’ performance 4.Develops communicative skills 5.Self studying and preparation 14

Conclusion course design should come in accordance with the student’ and academic needs a student should be an active participant and a teacher – only a facilitator A survey should be conducted every time we get a new course 15

Thank you for your attention Questions? 16