This study aimed at designing an ESP course for the Life Sciences students at the Faculty of Sciences and Arts, King Khaled University, Saudi Arabia using the participatory approach. Learners’ needs were analyzed through a needs analysis questionnaire administered to: (1) 60 students at the Life Sciences Section in Dhahran Aljanoub Faculty of Sciences and Arts by the end of the first term 2011/ 2012, and (2) 12 subject matter specialists teaching them. During the participatory sessions which were attended by six students, six subject matter specialists and six English language instructors during the second term, results of the needs analysis were presented and discussed till a consensus was reached. In addition, the participatory approach was used for identifying course goals, selecting topics, developing and evaluating materials and activities. The course was taught to 60 Life Sciences students by the beginning of the academic year 2012/2013 and lasted for a whole term. Results of the study revealed that the participatory approach was effective in enhancing the students’ English language learning. In addition, results revealed a great level of students’ satisfaction with the ESP course. Recommendations and suggestions for further research are introduced.

Key words: ESP – the participatory approach

Published in Journal of Arabic Studies in Education and Psychology, 34(3), 2013, Feb., Association of Arab Educators.