Needs-Based English Language Curriculum Innovation for Mechanical Engineering Students at Politeknik Negeri Padang

Abstract

The effectiveness of English curriculum innovation in vocational higher education is largely determined by its alignment with students’ academic and workplace needs, yet empirical studies in Indonesian polytechnic contexts remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the role of needs analysis as the basis for developing the English curriculum for students of the Mechanical Engineering Study Program at Politeknik Negeri Padang. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed, involving Mechanical Engineering students and English lecturers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through curriculum document analysis, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews, and then analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that students require English language competencies oriented toward the comprehension of technical texts, workplace communication, interpretation of mechanical documents, and basic technical writing, whereas the existing curriculum is still dominated by general English with limited integration of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) components. These findings affirm that systematic needs analysis is a crucial prerequisite for innovating vocational English curricula and provide practical implications for curriculum developers to design learning that is more contextual, relevant, and aligned with the demands of the Mechanical Engineering discipline and the world of work.