Assessing core competencies of business English students in Chinese higher vocational colleges

Understanding the core competencies of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students is vital for designing ESP curricula and refining methodologies. This study sought to comprehensively assess the core competencies of Business English students in Chinese higher vocational colleges (HVCs). A questionnaire survey was conducted among 394 Business English students from five HVCs. The survey evaluated core competencies across gender and academic grades using a model comprisinging four primary dimensions and twelve sub-modules. The results revealed significant disparities in core competency development among Business English students, particularly across gender and academic grades within the specified competence indicator dimensions. These findings highlight the need to enhance in the core competencies of these students, indicating current deficienciess in their development. The identified disparities and areas for improvement in core competencies provide valuable insights for educators and institutions to customize teaching methodologies and improve curriculum design, better addressing the needs of Business English students in HVCs.