Needs Assessment

Procedures In order to create a syllabus that addressed learner and administrative objectives, we created three different surveys to find out student level and motivation to learn English, administrative goals for English in the curriculum, and current classroom practices as well as student ability. Fortunately, we also were able to contact Chris De La Cruz, a Middlebury student studying abroad in Chile. He was able to observe lessons and talk to students, providing us with valuable information regarding student behavior, attitudes, and motivation. Findings Despite limited response to our surveys Chris was very helpful and we were able to get a fairly good idea of learner needs. All students at the school take English, and there is an additional group of students that have chosen to take supplementary English classes. There are approximately 30 students in each grade and there are 14 students in the additional class. The Junior classes take the TOEIC Bridge, but the success rate is very low. Teachers conduct their class in Spanish, and there are very few opportunities for students to use English in a meaningful way. We have designed a syllabus that incorporates meaningful

communicative activities and tasks that will increase student confidence to improve listening and speaking skills. Students will also be given the tools to take their learning outside of the classroom so that they can take advantage of learning opportunities as they arise.