Inglês para fins específicos: aulas particulares centradas na produção oral para o exame TOEFL iBT

Abstract

This research aims at investigating how an English for Specific Purpose one-to-one course, mainly focused on the speaking skill, meets the students learning needs and prepares them to take the TOEFL iBT test (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test). The study is grounded on the theoretical principles about English for Specific Purposes as supported by Hutchinson and Waters (1987); Dudley-Evans and St. John (1998); Ramos (2004, 2009); Belcher (2009); Basturkmen (2010); needs analysis according to Hutchinson and Waters (1987); Dudley-Evans and ST. John (1998); Long (2005); task-based teaching as proposed by Willis (1996); Willis and Willis (2001, 2007); Ellis (2003, 2005); Skehan (2003); Nunan (2004); course design and material development according to Hutchinson and Waters (1987); Dudley Evans and St. John (1998); Graves (2000); Tomlinson (2001, 2003); and language assessment as defended by McNamara (2000) and Scaramucci (2004, 2009, 2011). Methodologically, this research is considered a case study (STAKE, 1998; JOHNSON, 1992), and it made use of the following instruments for data collection: questionnaires in the beginning of the course to identify the students profiles, and at the end of the course to learn about the students perceptions as to their progress; audio recording of two speaking tasks on the first and last day of class; teacher-researcher s diaries at the end of every class containing the students perceptions of their performance in class. The results revealed the students satisfaction regarding the course methodology and material, as well as the perception of reading and listening skills improvement. It was interesting to note that, although the main focus of the course was on the speaking skill, the perception of improvement of the writing skill was higher than that of the speaking skill. The students narratives also indicated the importance of teacher-student interaction and praised the attention given by the teacher to their emotional aspects. This work aims at bringing contributions not only to ESP course teachers and to those who work with language assessment, but also to the research field as it lacks studies related to the speaking skill and private classes