English For Specific Purposes

ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
(ESP) is a learner-centered approach to teaching English as an additional language, which focuses

on developing communicative competence in a specific discipline such as academics, accounting,
agrology, business, IT, teaching, and engineering. Students are also exposed to Canadian workplace
or academic culture and real world communication practice.
ESP programs differ from general English language courses and contain the following characteristics:

1. Designed to meet the specific needs of the learners.
2. Related in content (themes and topics) to particular disciplines or occupations.
3. Use authentic work-specific documents and materials.
4. Promote cultural awareness and seeks to improve intercultural competency.
5. Deliver intermediate and advanced level language training.
Absolute and Variable Characteristics of ESP
Ten years later, theorists Dudley-Evans and St John (1998) modified Strevens' original definition of
ESP to form their own. Let us begin with Strevens. He defined ESP by identifying its absolute and
variable characteristics. Strevens' (1988) definition makes a distinction between four absolute and two
variable characteristics:
I. Absolute characteristics:
ESP consists of English language teaching which is:
designed to meet specified needs of the learner;
related in content (i.e. in its themes and topics) to particular disciplines, occupations and
activities;
centred on the language appropriate to those activities in syntax, lexis, discourse, semantics,
etc., and analysis of this discourse;
in contrast with General English.
II. Variable characteristics:
ESP may be, but is not necessarily:
restricted as to the language skills to be learned (e.g. reading only);
not taught according to any pre-ordained methodology (pp.1-2).
Anthony (1997) notes that there has been considerable recent debate about what ESP means
despite the fact that it is an approach which has been widely used over the last three decades. At a
1997 Japan Conference on ESP, Dudley-Evans offered a modified definition. The revised definition
he and St. John postulate is as follows:
I. Absolute Characteristics
ESP is defined to meet specific needs of the learner;
ESP makes use of the underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves;
ESP is centred on the language (grammar, lexis, register), skills, discourse and genres
appropriate to these activities.
II. Variable Characteristics
ESP may be related to or designed for specific disciplines;
ESP may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from that of general
English;
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;
ESP is generally designed for intermediate or advanced students;
Most ESP courses assume some basic knowledge of the language system, but it can be used
with beginners (1998, pp. 4-5).
Dudley-Evans and St. John have removed the absolute characteristic that 'ESP is in contrast with
General English' and added more variable characteristics. They assert that ESP is not necessarily
related to a specific discipline. Furthermore, ESP is likely to be used with adult learners although it
could be used with young adults in a secondary school setting.
As for a broader definition of ESP, Hutchinson and Waters (1987) theorize, "ESP is an approach to
language teaching in which all decisions as to content and method are based on the learner's reason
for learning" (p. 19). Anthony (1997) notes that, it is not clear where ESP courses end and general
English courses begin; numerous non-specialist ESL instructors use an ESP approach in that their
syllabi are based on analysis of learner needs and their own personal specialist knowledge of using
English for real communication.

Bibliografa
Gatehouse, K. (October de 2001). The Internet TESL Journal. Obtenido de http://iteslj.org/Articles/Gatehouse-ESP.html
THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG. (s.f.). THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG. Obtenido de
https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/elp-esp

Stephanie Cabrera Gmez

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ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

(ESP) is a learner-centered approach to teaching English as an additional language, which focuses

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