Evaluating an English Language Course for Nursing Students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate into the English course for nursing in the faculty of nursing at Shahid-Beheshti University. More specifically, the study aims to identify the students’ and the instructor’s opinions about the course suggestions as regards the improvement of the English course, and the students’ need as perceived by themselves and the course instructor. This study has been designed as a case study which uses a mixed-methods approach to research. In other words, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the student questionnaire and instructor interview. The participants of the study were seventy nursing students in the third and fourth years of their study and one instructor in the faculty of nursing at Shahid-Beheshti University. The results of this study indicated that both the instructor and the students held positive attitudes toward the English course for nursing in terms of its aims and objectives, content and materials, teaching-learning process, and assessment. Also, the results highlighted the strengths of the English course for nursing as perceived by the participants of the study. Additionally, the results showed that the course had some weaknesses too. Based on the weaknesses, the participants suggested making some changes in the English course for nursing. For example, by extending the time of the class and adding more English courses to teach the students. They mentioned that academic writing skills and listening skills be must emphasize more in this course. Also, they agreed the technology should be integrated into the English course. Finally, the results of the study explained some implications about the English for course for nursing in the faculty of nursing at Shahid-Beheshti University in Tehran. Also, some recommendations are provided for future studies. Keywords: English for specific purposes (ESP), English for Nursing Purposes (ENP), Need analysis (NA).