Identification Of The Target English Language Needs Of Ethiopian Police Peacekeepers
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Date
2020-05
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AAU
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the target English language needs of Ethiopian police
peacekeepers and by doing so, to evaluate the effectiveness of the English language course
material in addressing these needs. To this end, a focus group discussion was conducted to
identify the target needs and an evaluation of the course material was made with the help of a
content analysis card. Five Ethiopian police officers with previous peacekeeping experience
participated in the focus group discussion that lasted for about an hour. The focus group
discussion was recorded and transcribed and analysis of the discussion was made based on the
transcript. Then the content analysis card was used to decide on the extent to which the course
material addresses the target needs identified through the analysis of the focus group discussion.
The findings of the study showed that English is very important to Ethiopian police officers to do
their job as police peacekeepers. The other finding was that the level of English language
proficiency required for mission service depends on the position occupied by the peacekeeper.
Intermediate level of proficiency is enough for field or operational posts whereas advanced level
of proficiency is required for office posts. Also among the findings was that all the four major
language skills are important for Ethiopian police officers to do their job as police peacekeepers.
The study also revealed that Ethiopian police peacekeepers mainly need English to:
communicate over the radio; give briefing and debriefing; take a statement from suspects,
victims and witnesses; listen to and understand briefings and debriefings; read and write e-mails;
write reports. Last but not least, the findings also indicated that the course material does not
satisfy the target English language needs of Ethiopian police peacekeepers. Finally, based on the
above findings, the researcher recommended the development of a new course material that takes
the needs of Ethiopian police peacekeepers into account.
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English is very important to Ethiopian police officers to do their job as police peacekeepers