Understanding Different Needs: Towards Designing an English Learning Audio Book for Sighted and Visually Impaired Massage Therapists

Abstract

Thai massage therapists see the need to improve their English, as their business is advancing towards international markets. The availability of English learning resources is, however, still very limited, especially for those with visual disabilities. This research project attempted to design an ESP syllabus and develop the content into an MP3 audio book format so that it could beneft both sighted and visually impaired learners. A needs analysis was conducted with different parties involved in the massage business, using interviews and on-site observations to create learners’
profles, observe the language requirements of therapists and construct the syllabus. After a prototype audio book was created, sample groups, which included massage therapists with and without visual impairment, were asked to study the material on their own for three months. The same pre/post-tests were used to measure learners’ language improvement. A 5-point Likert scale format questionnaire was used to measure learners’ satisfaction with the product. The research offered a comparison of the results and concluded that although the audio book could enhance
the language profciency of both groups of learners, those with visual impairment showed a signifcantly greater improvement due to the higher level of motivation and learning discipline.