TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MANABI

TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

TEACHER: ISABEL DE LOS ANGELES GARCIA FARFAN
STUDENT: NICOLLE ALEJANDRA VERA ARAY
CLASS: 8º “A”

THE HISTORY OF ESP AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN OUR CONTEXT

ESP, or English for Specific Purposes, is a branch of English language teaching that focuses on
teaching English for specific purposes or contexts. The history of ESP can be traced back to the
1960s when it emerged as a response to the growing demand for English language teaching in
specific fields such as business, medicine, engineering, and law.
First, before the emergence of English for Specific Purposes, English language teaching was
primarily focused on teaching general English language skills, which were not always relevant to
the specific needs of learners. ESP, on the other hand, is designed to meet the specific language
needs of learners in their respective fields of study or work.
Second, the English for Specific Purposes has become increasingly important in our context due
to the growing demand for English language skills in specific fields such as business,
technology, and medicine. In today's globalized world, English has become the language of
international communication, and proficiency in English is often a requirement for employment
in many fields.
Third, the English for Specific Purposes has also been instrumental in promoting cross-cultural
understanding and communication. By teaching English language skills that are specific to
different fields, ESP has helped to bridge the communication gap between professionals from
different cultural backgrounds.
In addition, English for Specific Purposes has also contributed to the development of English
language teaching methodologies. The focus on teaching English for specific purposes has led to
the development of task-based language teaching, which emphasizes the use of language in real-
life situations.
In conclusion, the history of English for Specific Purposes is closely linked to the growing
demand for English language skills in specific fields. ESP has become increasingly important in
our context due to the globalized nature of our world and the need for effective communication
across cultures. ESP has also contributed to the development of English language teaching
methodologies and has helped to bridge the communication gap between professionals from
different cultural backgrounds.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3814/915d0982b11c86337c3f3f1abcbf674fc4cb.pdf
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