[ESP]- English for

Specific Purposes
Palawan State University
 ESP
Teaching of a specific genre of mostly technical English for
students with specific goals, careers or field of study.
People study English for Specific Purposes so they can:

perform better in globalized economy

progress in an English-speaking company
talk and manage international teams
succeed in complex, multilingual environments

Examples include:
English for Academic purposes
English for business & Management,
or hotel & Catering English
ESP vs. EGP

English is not taught as a

separate subject, instead its
integrated into the subject
matter area important to the
learner.

Language is taught in context,

grammar and language
structure are not stressed.
 ESP vs. General
English
Differences between ESP and GE
(Dudley-Evans):
- meet specific needs
- it serves a particular discipline
-intermediate/advanced level
( authentic materials are easily feasible)
Major Differences? Not Really
Learners purpose for Learning

Subjects may vary:

health accounting, computer, science, tourism,
business management, armed forces etc.
ESL All four language skills
ESP Skills taught according to the needs
of the students
E.g.
Spoken Skills for students studying tourism
ESP combines subject matter and
English language teaching
M
O Application of new learning
T in academic/professional
I field
V
A
T
I
O
N

New learning is meaningful therefore acquired more easily

Students will acquire English
while working with material
relevant to their educational or
professional studies or pursuits.

Learners studying in English

context tend to be more
successful

Focusing on linguistic input

or isolated language
structures may decrease
motivation to learn the target
language.
Language is presented in
Adults have to work harder
than children in order to
lean new language, but the
learning skills they bring to
the task permit them to
learn faster and more
efficiently
In the past, ESP Nowadays, many
courses were students learn
designed by vocational English
intermediate or at an earlier age
advanced adult and at a lower
learners. level of
proficiency.
Teaching ESP
Common
When do I start? (Whatever
English should my students
be at?)

What do I teach?
(Im not familiar with the
subjects)

How do I teach? Where do I

find materials?
When do I start?

in any ESP
courses the students
should be atleast
level A1, if not higher
depending on the
purpose of leaning
i.e. academic
vocational purpose.
 What do I Teach?
It is a good idea to choose a subject area of interest
to you

Preparation is important
Get a subject dictionary
Research the subject in any way you can, e.g. visit
the library, use the internet etc.
Read the Teacher's book
How do I teach?
Where do I find materials?

Choice A
Use an ESP coursebook

Choice B
Design your own material
 GE Teacher facing ESP

- No training for ESP teaching

frustration, a feeling of inadequacy
- Possessing the knowledge to
generate communication with ESP
learners
- Becoming consultants, negotiators
with students additional roles
Why do teachers struggle with ESP?

- No need to learn specialist subject area

- Need to understand basic principles, have a
positive attitude towards ESP content
- Need to become interested students of a
subject matter
- Need to use particular jargon, use more
generalized set of academic skills, know
everyday small talk (general communication
skills)
a common fund of knowledge
Roles of an ESP Teacher

Motivate the
Make the task as
students with
authentic as
variety relevance
possible
and fun

Take the
classroom in the
Use authentic real world and
material
Teaching bring the real
world in the
ESP classroom
Main Branches of ESP

English for
EAP Academic
Purposes

ESP

English for
EOP Occupatio
nal
Purposes
Example