ESP

English for Specific Purposes

What is it?

Author: Analia Gargiulo

DEFINITION

Robinson (1980) has defined it as ‘The teaching of English to learners who have specific goals and purposes’. These goals might be professional, academic, scientific, etc.

ESP cannot be confined to any specific field, discipline or profession. It has a broader area of action that depends exclusively on students’ needs.

CHARACTERISTICS (Strevens’ 1988)• It is designed to meet specified needs of the learner. • It is related in content (themes and topics) to particular

disciplines, occupations and activities. • It is centred on the language appropriate to those activities in

syntax, lexis, discourse, semantics, etc., and analysis of this discourse.

• It is opposite to General English. • It can be restricted to the language skills to be learned (for

example, reading)

TYPES OF ESP

Scope (some examples)

Coursebooks (examples)

What is the teacher’s role?

Bibliography• https://www.teflcourse.net/images/infographics/What-is-English-for-S

pecific-Purposes.jpg

• http://www.laurenceanthony.net/abstracts/ESParticle.html

• http://www.academia.edu/8519119/English_for_Specific_Purposes_Its_Definition_Characteristics_Scope_and_Purpose