The Role of Needs Analysis in Designing a Digital Syllabus for EFL Undergraduate Programs
Adnan Abdulkareem Abdulqader Gorani
Salahaddin University
Omar Fouad Ghafor
Salahaddin University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25130/jls.5.4.1.2
Keywords: Needs analysis, digital syllabus, Information technology
Abstract
The present study is entitled “The Role of Needs Analysis in Designing a Digital Syllabus for EFL Undergraduate Programs”. The main aim of this study is to explore the factors that should be considered in designing a digital syllabus for EFL undergraduate programs. Therefore, the study has set up two instruments to investigate the EFL undergraduate students’ views at Mosul University through a questionnaire. According to the outcomes and the interpretation that were made throughout this study, EFL teachers and students ratify the significance of the role of the needs analysis for any trend of new syllabus design. However, an inadequate consideration of the needs of EFL students has been taken. So, there are recommendations raised through this study for the universities around Iraq to guarantee more consideration for the needs of EFL student before designing and developing any new digital syllabuses. In addition, the capacity needed, and the required training for the adaptation of digital should be taken to enhance and to give more readiness to the universities to improve the teaching experience and skills for both teachers and students to allow them to use digital educational platforms more effectively. Finally, the study endorsed the usefulness and the effectiveness of the digital syllabuses that were implemented in Mosul and Duhok universities. The applications of Google Classroom as digital syllabuses were effectively invested for different aspects of the students learning process. On the other hand, this study reveals many challenges that EFL teachers and students are facing while using digital syllabuses. In one word, it can be said that digital syllabuses and digital platforms are effective, but it requires more consideration of the EFL students’ capacity and skills. Also, the factors that affect the application of such syllabuses should be very carefully taken into the account
