Reflection 1

Reflection on “Needs Analysis” (pp51~71, Richards)

Analyzing needs is often the most essential step, and therefore comes the very first when developing or designing something regardless of fields. I worked for a company as marketing personnel for some time, and my job involved needs analysis, too. Without needs analysis, I could not develop any of the strategies and tactics, which were the outcome of my job. Like mentioned in the book, needs analysis was not as simple as it sounds but required complex procedures. Although needs analysis in language teaching requires different elements and steps from the ones I did while performing my job, both types use the same procedures. I used questionnaires, interviews, meetings, and observation to collect necessary information. I considered collecting and analyzing information was the most important step in carrying out needs analysis.
Learning various techniques and effective procedures will be necessary in order to perform precise and accountable needs analysis since it is the very first step in designing a course. Without a reliable needs analysis, the course is likely to fail in meeting the learners’ requirement. It is also very important to note that needs analysis can be done as ongoing process so that teachers could constantly evaluate and revise the course.