ESP-English for Specific Purposes

Basharat Rasheed Mirza

Contents

Introduction Meaning of ESP Types of ESP Characteristics of ESP courses The word ‘SPECIAL’ in ESP Conclusion

Introduction English has become the internationally accepted

language of almost all the fields of knowledge. Depending on their specific needs and

requirements, new learners who knew specifically why they need English are created.

In some cases people with inadequate proficiency in English need to be taught to handle specific jobs.

To fulfill the needs of these new learners new specific courses were designed and introduced.

ESP is one of these specific courses.

Cont’d…

From early 1960’s, ESP has emerged as one of the major areas of EFL teaching today.

Various universities across the globe are offering a number of ESP courses nowadays.

Examples: English for Chemists, English for Educationists, English for Advertisements, English for Media, etc.

Meaning of ESP ESP means English for specific purposes. ESP is defined in the terms of its absolute

and variable characteristics by Tony Dudley Evens.

Absolute Characteristics:› Meets specific needs of learners.› Makes use of underlying methodology and

activities of the discipline it serves.› Is centered on the language appropriate to

these activities in terms of grammar, lexis, syntax, study skills, discourse, and genre.

Meaning cont’d…

Variable Characteristics:› May be related to or designed for specific

disciplines.› May use, in particular situations, different

methodologies from general English.› Is likely to be designed for adult learners,

either at an institute or at a work place.› Is generally designed for intermediate and

advanced students.› Most of the ESP courses assume some basic

knowledge of the language systems.

Meaning cont’d…

ESP is an approach to teaching. ESP is an attitude of mind. ESP is concerned with turning learners

into users. Hutchinson et al. (1987:19) state,

› ESP is an approach to language teaching in which all decisions as to content and method are based on the learner’s reason of learning.

Types of ESP

David Carter (1983) identifies three types of ESP:

English as a restricted

language, e.g. of a pilot, or a

waiter.Only used for specific

contexts. Knowing this

type of English may not help

to communicate

effectively outside the

specific context.

English for Academic and Occupational

Purposes.

English for

Academic

Purposes

(EAP), e.g.

English for

medical

studies.

English for Occupational

Purposes

(EOP), e.g. English for Technicians

.

English with specific topics.Uniquely

concerned with

anticipated future English

needs, e.g. Scientists requiring

English for postgraduate

studies or attending

conferences.

Characteristics of ESP Courses

Carter (1983) discusses three characteristics of ESP courses.› Authentic material

Study material must be authentic.› Purpose-related orientation

Orientation lessons must be according to the needs of the learners.

› Self-direction Learners must have a degree of freedom to

decide what, when and how they will study.

The Word ‘SPECIAL’ in ESP

The word SPECIAL refers to:› Purpose for which learners learn language; not the nature of language.

› Restricted repertoire of words and expressions selected from the whole language.

Conclusion

ESP-English for specific purposes has emerged as a significant field in Applied Linguistics. It is mostly concerned with the learners’ needs for a specific field of academics or occupation. Restricted skills of words and expressions, purpose of learning the language are the areas to be considered in ESP.

Thank you