English for specific purposes

English for specific purposes (ESP) is a subset of English as a second or foreign language. It usually refers to teaching the English language to university students or people already in employment, with reference to the particular vocabulary and skills they need. As with any language taught for specific purposes, a given course of ESP will focus on one occupation or profession, such as Technical English, Scientific English, English for medical professionals, English for waiters, English for tourism, etc.^[1]

English for academic purposes, taught to students before or during their degrees, is one sort of ESP, as is Business English. Aviation English is taught to pilots, air traffic controllers and civil aviation cadets to enable clear radio communications.^[2]

Contents

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• 1Definition
  • 1.1Absolute characteristics
  • 1.2Variable characteristics
• 2Teaching
• 3See also
• 4References
• 5Notes
• 6External links
  • 6.1Organizations
  • 6.2Articles
  • 6.3Journals
  • 6.4Magazines

Definition[edit]

Absolute characteristics[edit]

1. ESP is defined to meet specific needs of the learners (Maslow's hierarchy of needs).
2. ESP makes use of underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves.
3. ESP is centered on the language appropriate to these activities in terms of grammar, lexis, register, study skills, discourse and genre.

Variable characteristics[edit]

Strevens' (1988) ESP may be, but is not necessarily:

1. restricted as to the language skills to be learned (e.g. reading only);
2. not taught according to any pre-ordained methodology (pp. 1–2)

Dudley-Evans & St John(1998)

1. ESP may be related to or designed for specific disciplines;
2. ESP may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from that of general English;
3. ESP is likely to be designed for adult learners, either at a tertiary level institution or in a professional work situation. It could, however, be for learners at secondary school level;
4. ESP is generally designed for intermediate or advanced students;
5. Most ESP courses assume some basic knowledge of the language system, but it can be used with beginners (pp. 4–5)

Teaching[edit]

ESP is taught in many universities of the world. Many professional associations of teachers of English (TESOL, IATEFL) have ESP sections. Much attention is devoted to ESP course design.^[3][4] ESP teaching has much in common with English as a Foreign or Second Language and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Quickly developing Business English can be considered as part of a larger concept of English for Specific Purposes.

ESP can be also considered as an avatar of language for specific purposes.^[5]