Academic Needs Analysis: A Case of Iraqi University ESP Students

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has been a distinct activity in the field of English Language Teaching (ELT) since 1960s. The flowering period of ESP has been identified due to many incidents like the Second World War in 1945, the rapid scientific expansion, the growth of science and technology, the increased use of English as the international language of science, technology and business, the increased economic power of certain oil-rich countries and increased numbers of international students studying in English Speaking countries. Needs analysis is the key essence of ESP. The paper reviews the history and development of ESP, the notion of needs analysis in ESP setting and some important components of ESP needs analysis. This review of trends in the teaching of English for specific purposes (ESP) presents recent developments in ESP among Iraqi postgraduate students. The study showed that most of the studies conducted in the Iraqi context have focused on the design of syllabus and on the problems faced by teachers and students in studying ESP courses. Possible research directions for all three social turns of ESP are also suggested.