English for Specific PurposesEvelyn Rojas

Outline

• Definition of ESP

• Evolution

• Main researchers

• Theories of learning through ESP

• Approaches to ESP courses

• ESP sample lesson

ESP DEFINITION

The rolerole of English in a language course or programme of instruction in which the content and content and aims of the course are fixed by the specific aims of the course are fixed by the specific needs of a particular group of learnersneeds of a particular group of learners. For example courses in English for academic purposes, English for science and technology, and English for Nursing.

•Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics (Fourth edition 2010):

EVOLUTION

• 1960’s awareness that General English courses did not meet learner or employers wants.

• Evolved from three fields:

a) Education

b) Linguistics

c) Psychology

• ESP is a subdivision of a wider field, Language for Specific Purposes:

• “…the area of inquiry and practice in the development of language programs for people who need a language to meet a predictable range of communicative needs.” Swales, 1992: 300

ESP

EAP

EBPEOP

EMPEAP

Burton M, 2009

Main researchers

HUTCHINSON AND WATERS , 1987

a)a) the demands of a brave new worldthe demands of a brave new world: : WW II, growth in commerce, technology exchange, and economics: need of a common language of exchange.

b)b) a revolution in linguisticsa revolution in linguistics: how the language was being used for communication.

c)c) a focus on the learner: a focus on the learner: development in educational psychology- the importance of learners` needs, interests and objectives towards the learning of the English language.

• Behaviorism: drillsThe material was stretched. When it was 50 cm

long, the stretching was stopped.

The material was stretched until it was 50 cm long.

(from Basic English for Science by Peter Donovan, OUP, I978)

Theories of learning through ESP

• Mentalism: Chomsky: The generalisation idea : unworkable, could not explain how from a finite range of experience, the human mind was able to cope with an infinite range of possible situations. His conclusion :thinking

MUST BE RULE-GOVERNED:MUST BE RULE-GOVERNED:

• Cognitive code: learner: active processor of information. Teaching technique: problem-solving task.

•

• LANGUAGE-CENTERED

Approaches to ESP courses

• SKILLS-CENTERED

• Latin America- texts not available in the mother tongue.

• ESP courses to teach sts read in English

Approaches to ESP courses

• LEARNING-CENTERED

• Principle: learning is determined by the learner.

• Concern is to maximize learning

Approaches to ESP courses

ESP sample lesson based on Hutchinson and Waters

• Learning-centered approach

• Electrical engineering students

a)SLA is a developmental process.

b)Language Learning is an active process.

c)Language Learning is a decission making process

Vocabulary

Graphic organizers

References• •  • Belcher, Diane D. (2004). Trends in teaching English for specific purposes. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics,

24, 165-186.• Brunton, M.(2009). An account of ESP – with possible future directions. English for Specific Purposes Issue 3

(24), Volume 8. Retrieved June 20, 2013, from http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_24/An%20account%20of%20ESP.pdf

• Gatehouse, K. (2001, October). Key Issues in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Curriculum Development. The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VII, No. 10. Retrieved June, 24, 2013, from

http://iteslj.org/Articles/Gatehouse-ESP.html • Hutchinson, T. & Waters, A. (1987). English for specific purposes: A learning-centered • approach. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.• Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, Fourth edition published in Great Britain in

2010.• Paltridge, B., & Startfield, S. (Eds). (2013). The Handbook of English for Specific Purposes.UK: Wiley-Blackwell.• Shrivastava, A. (2009). English for specific purposes: its meaning and importance in Present Indian scenario.

ESP World, Issue 1 (22), Volume 8. Retrieved June 20, 2013, from http://www.esp-world.info/Articles_38/ESP_in_India_Ravindra_Tasildar.pdf

• Swales, John. (1992). Language for specific purposes. In W. Bright (Ed.), International encyclopedia of linguistics (Vol. 2, p. 300). New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.