Understanding Frontline Needs: Perspective of Indonesian Nurses on the English Coursebook Materials

Main Article Content

Fitri Handayani
M. Zaim
Havid Ardi

Abstract

English proficiency is critical for nurses to provide optimal patient care and in advancing careers, but existing course materials often lack authentic workplace needs. Therefore, this study aimed to explore Indonesian nurses' perspectives on the English coursebooks needed to effectively perform professional duties. A mixed-methods design combined both questionnaires (n=60) and semi-structured interviews (n=5) conducted with nurses working in Indonesian healthcare environments. The results showed that nurses prioritized the course material topics directly related to core nursing tasks, such as administering medication, educating patients, and explaining symptoms. Additionally, the course materials should enhance writing skills for clinical documentation and job applications. Concerning language skills, participants emphasized the need for authentic listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities adapted to the nuanced communication demands of healthcare. Examples included understanding detailed medical reports, writing observation notes, reading textbooks, and presenting at conferences. This study further discussed the valuable insights gained from frontline nurses to determine topics and skill focus in the coursebooks to correlate with the authentic language needs faced by nurses in the clinical practice environment. By incorporating target workplace demands, nursing graduates could enter the profession equipped to provide safe and high-quality care. Integrating the needs analysis of frontline nurses was crucial to developing effective English coursebooks and adequately preparing students for the transition from nursing education to clinical practice.

Article Details

How to Cite
Handayani, F., Zaim, M. ., & Ardi, H. (2024). Understanding Frontline Needs: Perspective of Indonesian Nurses on the English Coursebook Materials. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 17(2), 392–418. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/274092
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Fitri Handayani, Doctoral Program Study in Language Teaching, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia

A doctoral candidate in the language teaching program at Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia. She is currently a lecturer in the English Department at Mahaputra Muhammad Yamin University. Her research interests encompass technology and innovation in language teaching,assessment, and teaching English for specific purposes. Email: fhandayani1786@gmail.com.

M. Zaim, Doctoral Program Study in Language Teaching, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia

A Professor of Linguistics at the English Department of Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia. He instructs various courses, including Introduction to Linguistics, Morphology and Syntax, and Language Teaching Evaluation. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Doctoral Language Teaching Study Program. His email address is mzaim@fbs.unp.ac.id.

Havid Ardi, A lecturer of Translation in the English Department at Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesi

A lecturer of Translation in the English Department at Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia. He has led multiple research projects funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology. He has published extensively in citation-indexed journals and currently holds the position of Deputy Dean. Email: havid_a@fbs.unp.ac.id

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