Needs Analysis- Instruction for Volunteers

Needs Analysis- Instruction for Volunteers

What is a needs analysis and why do we need it?

A needs analysis is a questionnaire that enables ENGin volunteers to identify and prioritize their buddy’s most important learning needs, find out who the learner is, and start figuring out how they feel about learning. A needs analysis also allows learners to discover and outline their own expectations and individual requirements.

What does this questionnaire focus on?

The questions cover the learner's previous experience, motivation, areas for improvement, needs and wants.

How is needs analysis done at ENGin?

One of the common ways of doing a needs analysis is interviewing: make a copy of our Needs Analysis template, interview your learner and take some notes. For adult learners, you may prefer to email them the questionnaire ahead of time and ask them to complete it before your first session.

What should I do with the results?

One effective way of satisfying the learner's needs is to incorporate the results of the needs analysis when working with our session plans. Prioritize and spend more time on the activities that most closely align with the learner’s needs and preferences. You can also adapt or add new activities that directly target the needs.

For example, let’s imagine that your student indicates that listening is one of her weaker skills and she hopes to study in a university program taught in English. In this case, you may want to give 3-5 minute mini-presentations in each session related to the topic of the session plan. After you’re done speaking, ask her a few comprehension questions about what you said. You might also choose a podcast to listen to with her - before each session, you both listen to the same episode, and then spend 15 minutes of the session discussing it.

Be creative and always feel free to adapt our materials to your and your students’ needs.