为迎接全球化趋势带来的挑战，中国目前十分需要大批精通英语的人才参与国际交流。但这方面人才的需求与现实存在较大差距，因为目前国内非英语专业中能说一口流利英语的人才实不多见，甚至可以说十分匮乏。究其原因，可能与中国高等教育中的英语教学环节有一定关系。本文以此为出发点，以访谈和电子邮件回复的方式对留美学生进行了一次调查，对收集的定性数据进行了阐释。我们部分地采用了Glaser and Strauss（1967）的奠基理论（grounded theory）分析相关数据。被访者根据自身经历，提出了国内高校英语教学中存在的一些问题，如缺乏英语实践的机会和语言环境等。调查结果显示中国英语教学中存在的问题与留学生在国外英语学习中遇到的困难密切相关。国内英语教育工作者应深切感受学生学习英语的各种需求，在日常教学中采用更多的需求分析寻找解决问题的途径。
This article defines the concepts and development of needs analysis and its use in EFL education. It points out how we can apply needs analysis to identify some problems in the instruction and students' learning and to improve the teaching and learning in the process of EFL education. The article also introduces the main models of needs analysis and the methods of data collection in carrying out needs analysis. Finally it raises some critical evaluation of some of the disadvantages of the early types of needs analysis and the improvements in the recent types. The article also discusses how needs analysis might be used in China's EFL education.
