Developing a Problem-Based Course Based on Needs Analysis to Enhance English Reading Ability of Thai Undergraduate Students

■ This paper reports on a needs analysis underlying a proposed business English reading course using a problem-based learning approach designed to enhance English reading abilities of Thai undergraduate students. As part of a work in progress, the needs analysis survey was done prior to the course design with the major stakeholders in business and academic settings. The findings from the needs analysis were used to determine the course's learning objectives, content and the evaluation so that the needs of the students who are English for business communication majors of the School of Humanities, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce could be met. Based on this needs analysis, it is proposed that the problem-based business English reading course might be effectively designed as an ESP course to enhance English reading ability of Thai undergraduate students.