A study investigated the content of commonly-used English-as-a-Second-Language textbooks used in Japanese nursing education and compared this information with the expressed language needs of nursing students. Seven English textbooks analyzed, all aimed at nursing students, presented instrumental language based on a situational approach to English teaching; none offered a humanistic approach to nurse-patient relations. Most of the situations presented were those in which the nurse explained a procedure to the patient. A survey of 25 second-year nursing students, 12 studying English with a native speaker and 13 with a non-native speaker, was conducted. Of both groups, 88 percent agreed strongly that they would like enough English to address patients' emotional needs, and anticipated dealing with foreign patients. A taxonomy that prescribes and predicts approaches to English for special purposes (ESP) for syllabus design, course, and materials design was developed and is presented here. It is also recommended that courses in English for nursing balance the instrumental and humanistic needs of patients and those who nurse them. Contains 10 references. (Author/MSE)