And set targets for their progress

Needs analysis
A needs analysis questionnaire is often a good way of finding out about your students’ English language experience, their current level of English and their English language requirements. For example, it is useful to know a little about their job, their company and their responsibilities at work. If the student is not at work, you need to know where they use English, whether that is at university, at college, at home or socially. You should include questions which allow you to get to know more about them and their interests, so you can make lessons more personally relevant and stimulating.

By studying the answers to needs analysis questionnaire, the teacher can see exactly where the student requires the most help relevant to their lifestyle and job. Teachers can also assess the general competency level of the student from their examples of writing and their contributions to any classroom discussion. Once you know a student’s needs and their current ability level, it is possible to identify their knowledge gaps and set targets for their progress.

The needs analysis can be used as you formulate the lessons so that each session moves the student a step closer to their target level in each language learning skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening). The lessons should also address the individual goals of the student and consider if they need help with specific vocabulary to do their job more effectively.