AN INVESTIGATION ON THE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS: A NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR SYLLABUS DEVELOPMENT

This study explored the importance of developing effective reading skills among Criminology students at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology. This research aimed to improve students’ reading skills and provide them with the necessary skills to comprehend and analyze complex legal texts, case studies, and criminal justice literature, leading to academic and professional success in their respective field. The study utilized two components to collect information such as survey questionnaire and interview, focusing on students from first to third year level. A survey questionnaire was employed to one hundred (100) criminology students enrolled in the A.Y 2024-2025 second semester. After conducting the survey, an interview was conducted to ten (10) random criminology student to gather more information. The result of the study may help identify specific areas where students struggle in reading academic text, thereby help educators and curriculum developers in making informed decisions regarding English language needs in the criminology discipline, specifically in the syllabi and teaching materials development. Keywords: Criminology Students, Needs Analysis, Reading Skills, English for Academic Purpose, Syllabus Development