INSTRUMENTS FOR NEEDS ANALYSIS
The needs analysis is a “family of
procedures for gathering information about
learners and about communication tasks
(Nunan, 1988). This needs analysis is
conducted only with the purpose of breaking
the existing gap between the theory, the
curriculum and the real features of the
target audience.
In order to carry on a needs analysis with
our target population, first of all, it is
necessary to set the types of needs that
are going to be included and analyzed in the
instruments. Therefore, types of needs are
differentiated with reference to the
purpose of learning the language, individual
differences or the social roles of language
in a wider context (Astika, 1999). There is
much literature about the different types
of
needs.
For
instance,
Alderson
differentiates four types of needs. First,
formal needs which refer to the need to
meet the institution requirements such as
to pass an exam. Second, actual or obligation
need which refers to what a student has to
do with the language once he has learned it.
Third, hypothetical future needs which
refer to the need to become a better
professional in the future, and forth, want
needs, which refers to what a student feels
want to do or to learn (as cited by Astika,
1999)
Brindley (1999) identifies two types of
needs. First, objective need, which is
derivable from factual information about
the learner, use of language in daily
communication,
current
language
proficiency and language difficulties.
Second, subjective need, referring to
cognitive and affective needs in learning
such as personality, confidence, attitude,
wants and expectations in learning.
Kharma (1988) discusses two types of
needs:
societal needs and educational