Needs Analysis: Identifying Academic Genres in an EAP Course

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the results of a survey carried out in an EAP reading course at PUCSP/COGEAE. Two were our main objectives: (1) to learn what genres are most commonly read by our students, which would allow us to re-think the objectives of this course, and (2) to assess the importance given to such genres. This survey took place between 1999 and 2000 and two questionnaires were used, both analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results show not only a number of genres most commonly read by our learners, but also the perceptions our students have of these genres. These outcomes are quite relevant to our course design.