Tailoring Materials to Learners’ Academic and Occupational Needs

Abstract

Communicative competence plays a crucial role in man's survival in whatever field of endeavor he belongs. Today, many Filipinos want to work abroad but most of them lack competence in English. Considering this reality, language programs must be tailored in the contexts and needs of students who are aspiring to learn English for career goals and for present-day overseas contract workers (OCWs). Alongside this, teaching materials must provide authentic applications to communicative settings i.e., real life props or texts (e.g. road signs, making calculations, comparisons, etc.); must employ technological innovations like using cameras, teaching online and providing internet access to students hence bringing the outside world into the classroom. In addition, themes and topics must be content-related to particular disciplines focusing on the language of these activities in relation to grammar, vocabulary, discourse and its analysis and the four macro skills.