چكيده
Needs analysis of English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) courses is basically known as the starting point of designing learner-centered courses with the aim of identifying present situation drawbacks and target situation needs. In this vein, the present study has sought to make an EOP investigation for the members of Red Crescent Society (RCS) of Isfahan Province, Iran. Two groups of people participated in this study: members and heads of RCS. For data collection, two questionnaires were adopted from Hosseinpour and Koosha (2011): Members’ Questionnaire and heads’ Questionnaire. In addition, open-ended interviews were hold with 10 members of each group. In so doing, members’ target situation needs, present situation needs, heads’ target situation needs and the difference between members and heads’ ideas in the interviews were worked out. Data analysis consisted of Chi-square and Friedman test using SPSS 20. Findings of the study revealed that, firstly, there was an absence of English courses for RCS members and that they needed more grammar, vocabulary, conversation and pronunciation for their present general English courses. Secondly, the study concluded that both heads and members of Iranian RCS stated needs of grammar, vocabulary (general and technical), conversation and pronunciation as important needs for target courses, course book and textbooks. Thirdly, in interviews, heads often talked about integration because many were thinking about the needs of members for travelling abroad and integrating with foreigners, while members were much more concerned with academic needs. In light of these findings, it can be recommended to Iranian English for Specific Purposes (ESP), English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) instructors to make need analysis studies and analyze current series so as to mitigate against the possible drawbacks. Findings can be employed to enhance the quality of future courses for RCS members.
