An emergent language program framework: Actively involving learners in needs analysis

Abstract In developing a language program for the staff of an aquaculture outreach project in northeast Thailand, the teachers wanted to actively involve the learners in both the needs analysis and program design. The approach evolved through a process of meeting the learners and planning and participating with them in the language program. It was after the fact that the teachers returned to the relevant literature to place their work in the context of the ESP field. This paper relates their experience working together with the learners in an emergent program. As such it describes a piece of action research which addresses the question: “what language program framework allows for learners to be actively involved in needs analysis and program design?” By detailing needs identified by the learners and giving examples of how the needs were realized in learning activities, the authors show that learners can provide the content of a language program.