Assessing Needs for Supplementary Speaking Materials for Vocational High School Students from Peripheral Areas

This study explores the need for supplementary English for Specific Purposes (ESP) materials in a Vocational High School located in a peripheral area of Yogyakarta. The focus is on understanding the specific requirements and needs of students within a vocational context in a non-urban environment. Such contexts are scarcely explored by the various ESP needs analysis studies. Following the qualitative nature of needs analysis, a mixed-method approach involving interview, questionnaire, focused group discussion, and classroom observation was employed. The findings indicate that ESP-speaking materials that are adaptable, specific, and tailored to the students’ English proficiency levels are still needed despite the availability of government-issued textbooks. Materials development, albeit crucial, often does not receive enough time allotment. As such, the teacher often assembled learning materials on the go. While the existing syllabus could address students’ needs, most of them find the materials only partly suitable, as in, having little relation to their major. This emphasizes a misalignment with their vocational training. From the four macro skills, most students (92.9%) expressed difficulties in speaking skills, which are crucial for effective professional communication. Additionally, students desire varied learning strategies and incorporating ICT into their learning process such as games and non-conventional classroom instruction. This study highlights the need to develop supplementary speaking materials that are specific and relevant to students’ vocational training and include innovative teaching methods to improve student engagement and prepare them adequately for their future careers.