Preliminary communication
Needs for english learning in the context of globalization
Katica Balenović
orcid.org/0000-0002-9534-875X
; Faculty of teacher Education - University of Rijeka, Department of Teacher Education in Gospić
Vesna Grahovac - Pražić
orcid.org/0000-0003-3833-8405
; Faculty of teacher Education - University of Rijeka, Department of Teacher Education in Gospić
Abstract
In the universal age of globalization languages play an important role. English has become a global language of communication due to its worldwide presence in all aspects of everyday life. Not only that English learning is obligatory in formal education, but the needs for learning the language are multiple and different. This paper analyses the present and the future of English as a global language, as well as the attitudes toward the so-called small languages in multilingual Europe on the example of the Croatian language. Due to the perception of English as a language of cultural prestige, the unselective and inappropriate use of English has been observed. Needs analysis was introduced into the language teaching in the 1960s through teaching language for special purposes (LSP teaching). The needs for English learning have been observed on a selected sample of the adult population. Needs analysis was carried out after investigating the adults’ motivation on English courses. The initial hypothesis indicates that their reasons for learning are that of practical use of English in all social situations. In order to confirm the initial hypothesis, relatively homogenous groups of respondents have been formed. The research included the sample of 93 adult learners in two urban environments of Rijeka and Gospić – the former large and the latter small. The given results have been statistically processed.
Keywords
English; globalisation; Croatian; language; needs
Hrčak ID:
81759
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2012.
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