A Study of The Problems and Needs of Diploma Students at CIVIL AVIATION TRAINING CENTER in Learning English for Specific Purposes In Aviation Industry.

Abstract

       At present, Civil Aviation Training Center's teaching program has English for specific purposes with specific content in aviation and all the teaching is in English. This can be a barrier to learning English for the purposes of diploma students. The researcher therefore defines the research objectives as follows: 1.) to investigate the problems and needs of students at the diploma level in learning English for specific purposes, both in teaching and learning; course content and the ability to use the English language to identify the problems and needs of students in learning English for a specific purpose; and 3.) to propose guidelines for the development of a course in teaching and learning English for a specific purpose. By studying and collecting questionnaires and interviews from 1st and 2nd year diploma students majoring in Aviation Instrumentation (AT-AI), Gas Turbine Engines (AMEL) majors, and Aeronautical Electronics majors (AT-AE), who enrolled in the English for Specific Purposes and General English courses, collected data from interviews of 30 people, including interviews with 2 teachers in the aforementioned courses.

       The results of the study found that the course content is appropriate for the learner's language proficiency level. Not too easy and not too hard. The lesson is interesting. The materials and audiovisuals used in the teaching were satisfactory, and the students gained a high level of knowledge of specific terms. Existing courses and teaching methods are tailored to the needs of students. Learners think they have the best reading ability and minimal writing. Instructors have knowledge of specific content and teaching abilities. They have faith in the potential of the teachers as being knowledgeable and can use teaching materials appropriately. Although the students had a high level of satisfaction in various fields, the survey found that the students had average grades in general English courses at a moderate level. The average grade in English for Special Purposes courses is low. Therefore, there should be more courses to increase language skills to practice using the language effectively and can actually be used in work. In addition, teachers themselves think that they should develop more in the use of technology in teaching for students to understand the content more deeply.