Learning Needs Assessment in Purposive Communication among the English Freshmen of Kalinga State University, Philippines

Abstract

The study assessed the learning needs in Purposive Communication of the English freshmen of the Kalinga State University. It specifically looked into the (a) importance of the English language to their course; (b) macro skills needed by the students; (c) expectations of the students from their English course; (d) perceived difficulties of students along the five macro skills; (e) situations in which students learn best, (f) factors contributory to language learning of the students; (g) rhetorical patterns that are found useful by the students; and (h) self-assessment of students on their proficiency in the English language. Descriptive research method was used in this study. A survey questionnaire was used in order to assess the learning needs of the college freshman students. The learning needs are presented making use of ranking.The problem on learning needs assessment are categorized and presented in table forms. Categories are based on the six macro skills of the learners. It was found out that students consider their reading very satisfactory, yet they expect to learn more how to read. They also want to improve speaking and reading more than other skills. According to students, they have difficulty mostly in unlocking meanings, organizing ideas, choosing the right words, pronouncing correctly, using appropriate language, and analyzing content