Exploring the need and use of english for specific purposes among nursing students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the currentstatus of the need to learn and use English for Specific Purposes (ESP) among nursing students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Materials and method:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 168 nursing students who had completed at least one module of ESP. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 27 items to assess the needs for learning and using ESP, carried out from November 2024 to February 2025. Results: The mean scores for learning needs, learning objectives and motivation, ability to use ESP, and barriers to learning ESP, were 4.12 ± 0.73, 4.07 ± 0.54, 2.89 ± 0.82, and 3.72 ± 0.59 out of 5, respectively. Conclusion: Nursing students exhibited a high level of need and motivation to learn ESP; however, their ability to use it remained limited, primarily due to significant barriers encountered during the learning process. The university should have developed effective support strategies to enhance students’ ESP proficiency, reduce obstacles, and meet their increasing learning demands