The Importance of learning environment for effective language education

Abstract

In today’s globally connected world English is the most commonly used language, especially in science and technology. Thus, effective English language education is essential. Recognizing the importance of learners achieving spoken and written competence in foreign languages, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) delivers a compulsory course of English for specific purposes (ESP). This poster presents the study conducted at LSMU in 2014 which aimed at identifying the LSMU students’ needs and expectations for Medical English acquisition and compares the findings with the ones obtained from the previuos study (2013). As it has been acknowledged by several scholars and authors (Munby, 1978; Richterich & Chancerel, 1987; Hutchinson & Waters, 1987; Berwick, 1989; Brindley, 1989; Robinson, 1991; Johns, 1991; West, 1994; Seedhouse, 1995; Jordan, 1997; Dudley-Evans & St. John, 1998; Hamp-Lyons, 2001; Finney, 2002) needs assessment has a vital role in the process of designing innovative teaching/learning programmes and carrying out any language course. Markee, 1993, sees innovation as "proposals for qualitative change in pedagogical materials, approaches, and values that are perceived as new by individuals who comprise a formal education system". The objectives of the study were: (1) to investigate the extent of the need for the students to develop their English Language communicative skills; (2) to project what competences of the English language the respondents expect to acquire; (3) to improve the teaching/learning programme and create the learning environment reflecting real life situations, in which students will have to apply their professional knowledge; (4) to determine the preferred methods of teaching. Method The research methodology was based on the theory of constructivism in language learning (Perkins, 1991, Brooks, J.G. & Brooks, M.J., 1999) and transfer theory (Patry, 1999). The methods empl[...].