Locky's English Playground: 2 Sept 2011

Friday, 2 September 2011

Academic Research: Where is the Needs Analysis in General English?

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Where is the Needs Analysis in General English?
Law, Locky

General Education, General English, Teaching, Needs Analysis, English for Specific Purposes, ESP, GE

2011-09-02

2012-07-11

Abstract:

Needs analysis (NA) has been closely linked to English for Specific Purposes (ESP) but this has not been the case for General English (GE) (Seedhouse, 1995). In fact, as far as needs analysis is concerned, there exists a general perception that ESP is the focus of discussion. This paper discusses various possible reasons which have contributed in shaping this general perception or misconception and thus the lack of development in the needs analysis of General English.

The discussions include
i) the history of needs analysis development,
ii) the definitions of ‘needs’ and its effect on needs analysis,
iii) the definition of ESP versus General English and its effect on needs analysis, and
iv) the missing link between needs analysis and General English.

The paper concludes by briefly describing a few studies which intend to fill the missing gap between needs analysis and General English and suggesting a possible future direction.

Opinions:
For those of you who would like to read academic papers written by me. Hope this will be useful for those of you researching in related areas as well.

Resources:
Where is the Needs Analysis in General English? @ Locky's English Playground

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9emHQBd5COmTVlLZnVkam5fUms

Sport & News & Vocabulary: Can Arsenal turn around?

Ladies in Hong Kong are generally not football fans, but that doesn't mean you can't read about football so you have some topics to talk to the guys about. And what I like about reading football news, is that the article writers actually writes quite effectively with nice vocabulary.

Recently, English club Arsenal has sold two of their best footballers to two other clubs. Samri Nasri to Manchester City and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. Arsenal has got a lot of cash after the inevitable want-away players were sold, but the manager Arsene Wenger is unwilling to open the chequebook.

And the result?

Nasri for Manchester City. 3 assists in the first match
Image from sportinglife

Cesc Fabregas for Barcelona. Played 3 games, Scored 2 goals, and Won 2 cups
Image from Getty Images

GettyImagesLosing 2-8 to Man U. Arsene Wenger holds his head in his hands

Quoting the news from Soccernet,

Monday, August 29, 2011
Wenger apologises for United mauling
ESPNsoccernet staff

Arsene Wenger has apologised to the Arsenal fans for their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners conceded eight goals for the first time since 1896 as they suffered a catastrophic 8-2 loss at Manchester United.

It was a result that prompted extreme criticism from fans and pundits alike, but Wenger has insisted he will not walk away from what is clearly a massive job to rebuild the confidence of a club who are still to find replacements for Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and have collected just a single point from their three Premier League games so far.

The Arsenal boss has pledged to try and find some new players ahead of the transfer window closing on Wednesday night. However, for now, the best he can do is say sorry.

''The fans do not want to see their team like that,'' Wenger told Arsenal World. ''We can only apologise and come back in our strength and desire in the next game.

''Big scores are humiliating and difficult to swallow but I don't think they have a special meaning. They are always under special circumstances.''

For Wenger, those special circumstances were a lengthy injury list, which robbed him of the services of Jack Wilshere, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna amongst others, plus the suspensions of Alex Song, Gervinho and Alex Frimpong.

The visit of Swansea immediately after the international break offers the perfect opportunity for a morale-boosting victory, although for now, skipper Robin van Persie accepts his team-mates have to face up to some pretty harsh facts.

''It is an honest result if you look at the game,'' said the Gunners captain. ''It sounds crazy maybe but Manchester United were much better than us and they punished us hard.

''We were simply not good enough. We have to deal with that. I don't think we can hide behind injuries or suspensions. It is no excuse. They had injuries too, this is football.''

Before this day, he was still saying he wasn't stubborn and he will buy the right players even at a huge cost. After the lost to Man U, he finally took action and signed a Korean player Park Chu-Young. Wenger has my support on that, why not make Arsenal into an Asian team with Japanese and Korean players? They work hard, they run tirelessly like machines, and they are definitely willing to play in the Premier League. Work permit is the problem? Well the government should think of some speedy way to help their capital (London) club.

I really want to see how Arsenal turn things around this weekend!

PS: I'm not an Arsenal fan nor a Man U fan.

Vocabulary:

humiliating -- (adj) making you feel ashamed or stupid

Friday, 2 September 2011

Academic Research: Where is the Needs Analysis in General English?

Sport & News & Vocabulary: Can Arsenal turn around?

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