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3395-Article Text-19180-2-10-20181017
3395-Article Text-19180-2-10-20181017
Ahmad Madkur
English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Tarbiya and Teachers Training,
State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN) Metro
Jl. Ki Hajar Dewantara, 15A Kelurahan Iring Mulyo, Metro City, Lampung 34111, Indonesia
ahmadmadzkur@metrouniv.ac.id
Received: 22nd May 2017 /Revised: 15th September 2017 /Accepted: 24th January 2018
How to Cite: Madkur, A. (2018). English for specific purposes: A need analysis on English course in Islamic
banking department. Lingua Cultura, 12(3), 221-226.
https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v12i3.3395
ABSTRACT
This research was aimed at analyzing the type of English skills needed by the students of Islamic Banking (Perbankan
Syariah) in IAIN Metro and figuring out the materials relevant to their needs. This was a qualitative study involving 25
students and 20 alumni who were working or had ever worked in the banks or BMTs. The data were obtained by employing
interviews, questionnaires, documentation, and then analyzed by using Miles and Huberman model. The findings reveal that
most of the students have less skill in English. However, the language skill that is needed at most by the students is speaking
skill as the communicative skill and vocabulary as the language skill. It is also discovered that there are some problems,
such as limited references, lack of supporting facilities, and learning duration that are encountered by both lecturers and the
students. Then, referring to their needs, the materials do not yet accommodate the content focus in which the students can
learn English related to banking issues. This research recommends that the syllabus should be revised and English should
be taught in an integrative approach.
Copyright©2018 221
Regarding to the importance of ESP for people Documentation is intended to document all of the data
working in the field of banking, many researchers have necessary both in the form of a soft file and hard file. The
found it essential to spot the light on the big advantages interviews and questionnaires are given to the students of
gained by applying the English language in various banks’ Islamic Banking department, the lecturer of English subject,
works as a superb communication tool, electronic dealings and the alumni of IAIN Metro who are or had ever worked
language, and global understanding tool between the nations. in the field of banking, either sharia or conventional. The
However, it is not an easy thing to design a specific English alumni who work in the conventional bank are given a
material for the students of the banking department. From chance to deliver their perception of the use of English in
the research conducted by Aprili (2012), it is found that the banking.
students need actual materials relating to their major. These The data are then analyzed by using the explanation
actual materials are expected to encourage the students to descriptively and interpretatively. The descriptive analysis
study English well. She also finds that the lecturers for the is to describe and analyze the problem and the students’
ESP course must be a lecturer from the related department needs in the process of learning English. To analyze the
finding. data, the researcher employs Miles and Huberman model
Trying to prepare ESP materials for the students of that is consisting of some steps namely: (1) data collection,
Islamic banking department, Masruddin (2016) has designed (2) data reduction, (3) data display, and (4) data verification
appropriate English materials for Sharia Economy and (Alhojailan, 2012).
Sharia Banking study program. The materials are developed
with the task-based approach and communicative approach.
Adewumi and Owoyemi (2012) have stated that RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
there must be a need specification of bankers toward
English in order to focus on certain types of English. The result of the researcher’s interview with the first
Moreover, according to them, to equip the employee year students of Islamic Banking department shows that the
candidates before they become part of banking works, there majority (23 people or 92%) of them positively perceived
must be an English syllabus designed based on the needs of of the importance of English language for the students of
banking workers. To know these needs, a need analysis is an Islamic banking department. They realize that the lessons
appropriate way and later can be used as a consideration in related to their major are definitely much more important
material development. than English. However, they consistently believe that the
At State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN) Metro, English language is necessary to learn and to master as
particularly in Islamic Banking department, English well. These findings are in concordance with the result of
syllabus is not yet designed based on the students’ lacks, the research by Arslan & Akbarov (2012). They have stated
needs, and necessities. As a result, the materials given to the that:
students are often not suitable for the students’ expectation.
If this problem is not solved soon, English taught to the “Their field courses are more important for them, but
students will probably not help their future jobs. Due to this does not change the fact that they know they need
the essence of foreign language competence, especially to learn the language at least for the sake of their
English communication skill for the students who study studies as the medium of instruction at university is
Islamic banking, a need analysis to make a material content English. They also think that being able to use the
is adjusted with the students’ needs. Therefore, this research language will be beneficial for them in their future
is attempted to know the students’ needs on English course jobs.”
by conducting need analysis so that the possibility of
inappropriate materials taught to the students of Islamic In another research, it is recommended that internal
banking department in IAIN Metro could be minimized. motivation of English learners can be the product of an
ESP program where the learners’ needs, nature of students’
majors, and their specialized needs should be seen as the
METHODS focus of attention (Tabatabaei & Mokhtari, 2014). This
shows that the ESP teachers may not deny the existence of
This research employs a qualitative approach with the students’ perception of it.
the case study type. The research investigates the problems Knowing the students’ perception is necessary
and the needs of the students majoring Islamic Banking because it is one of the influential factors in learning.
department in IAIN Metro when learning English course. According to Lindsay and Norman in Pickens (2005),
The results of the need analysis research are expected to be perception is the process by which organisms interpret and
a constructive and contributive input for English syllabus organize sensation to give birth to a valuable experience of
and material development in this department. 25 students the world. Furthermore, the perception is belief or opinion
of Islamic Banking department are involved in this research referring to the motivation in doing something (Lai, 2011).
by interviewing and distributing them some questionnaires. From this definition, it can be understood that whether the
Furthermore, to deepen the result analysis, the researcher motivation is positive or negative, it could be influenced by
also involves 20 alumni of IAIN Metro who are working, someone’s perception or opinion. It is because motivation
and those who have ever worked in the field of banking or is one of the factors that influence learning achievement.
Baitul Mal wa Tamwil (BMT), a microfinance institution As it is stated that the motivation of learners significantly
that operated on the principle of profit sharing, fostering a affects their willingness to take part in the process of
micro, and small business. The researcher invites the alumni learning (Al-Othman & Shuqair, 2013). In other words,
to have the group discussion to talk about their experience the rate of student learns a new language depends on their
and their needs in English when working in the company. individual motivation. If the students learn a language that
Data collecting methods used in this research they considered important, it will be very much different
are documentation, interviews, and questionnaires. from those who think that English is not necessary.