1. WP1 – Needs Analysis Results of the Comparative Analysis
Institute for Future Studies
EIT Partner Meeting - Copenhagen
19./

2. Respondents per Country
IT Students
Professionals
Austria - 10
Cyprus 64 8
Denmark
107
No report yet
Lithuania 72 9
Poland 37
Spain 63 17

3. Respondents‘ Profiles
The large majority of respondents are male. >> predominance of men in the field of IT.
Average age range of students: 20 to 25
only in Denmark ¼ older than 25
Majority of IT professionals in their thirties;
>> Polish and Lithuanian older than 40 on average.

4. English for IT and the National Context
Level of English very different in respective countries
Austria, Denmark, Cyprus quite a high level of English (intermediate to advanced)
Austria: English is an entry requirement for university students (B2/C1 level)
Denmark: courses frequently delivered in English at university
Spain and Lithuania: good English not a prerequisite to enter university; Poland?
Spain: English traditionally not given the importance it has in other countries

5. Students Professionals e-mail, computers and the Internet
English Language Use
Students
, computers and the Internet
Reading manuals, reports, etc.
>> no focus on future careers
Professionals
English essential for their daily work >> used in various situations
Reading professional texts in English most frequently mentioned

6. English Language Skills
Students
Language skills considered quite good in most countries >> highest ratings in Denmark and Cyprus >> Spanish students: most skills considered quite difficult
Professionals
Intermediate to advanced level of English of most interviewees
However: Spain, Lithuania - problems regarding fluency and accuracy of spoken English

7. Main learning need: improvement of communicative (oral) skills
Learning Needs
Main learning need: improvement of communicative (oral) skills
Grammar, vocabulary and writing already covered at school, but lack of active communication!
Grammar and vocabulary also mentioned quite frequently >> may also be due to traditional perceptions of language learning?
Reading and writing considered already at desired level by some >> professionals most frequently use reading and writing as part of daily work

8. Combination of learning settings seems desirable for most students
Learning Habits
Combination of learning settings seems desirable for most students
No clear tendency
Preference for blended learning
Professionals: chance to learn in the workplace
Retrieving information from the Internet
Mostly prefer to learn on their own
Blended learning preferred
Would invest between one hour a day to one hour a week in English module >> tendency towards shorter sessions >> reservations regarding sessions every day

9. E-learning Experiences
Most respondents have some experience with e-learning
Mostly feel positive about it >> flexibility, accessibility, up-to-dateness
Internet in general plays important role for learning (cf. retrieving documents)
General interest in learning English with e-learning, flexibility and convenience, not pedagogy
Doubts as to what is understood by e-learning remain

10. E-learning and Language Learning
Communicative Skills play an important role
However: reservations towards using e-learning to improve communicative skills
>> some did not find e-learning suited to improve communicative skills (used to use e-learning materials for reading and writing!?)
Suitability also dependent on language level: more suited for basic language level?
Tools: IM (Skype), Videoconferencing, Audio Recordings >> Feedback, tutor support needed

11. Improvement of E-learning Platforms/Materials
All elements listed considered quite important
however the nature of the research methodology affects this
Importance of Usability and Accessibility
Need for effective, efficient and user-friendly materials/platforms
>> Usability Analysis of Materials/Portal to be developed is essential
Poor design, no monitoring, no sense of group, too much theoretical information (over emphasis on grammar) considered to hamper learning

12. Interest in Certified Online Module
Majority of students interested in certified e-learning module
Certificate considered important for professional careers
>> except Spanish students
Certification also seen positive by professionals
International recognition required
Target group younger professionals
Language level

13. Important Aspects to Consider
Language Level
Most respondents more advanced, elementary syllabus would not be attractive to them
Language levels also differ in partner countries
Language Skills
Respondents very keen on improving communicative (oral) skills
Theoretical knowledge of grammar is not likely to be well recieved by majority - practice is what they need
Reading and writing of English texts are often considered easier because these skills are regularly needed
Course structure
Especially professionals need a flexible course structure
Daily sessions do not fit professionals‘ learning habits
Usability Analysis
Analysis of portal/materials appears necessary to develop a learning environment that is appropriate to users‘ needs