English Lic.

Angie Porras Báez

for
Specific Angie.porras@uamcr.net

Purposes
Número de teléfono
Correo electrónico
 English is the most powerful language
in the world and has approximately
500 million native speakers across the
world.
•Achieving proficiency in the English language is vital for
professional success internationally.

•While a General English course offers learners the

opportunity to become fluent in the language, English for
Specific Purposes (ESP) provides content altered according
to the needs of the learner and the requirements of their
profession. Furthermore, the learner is expected to have
basic English language proficiency prior to starting the
course as ESP focuses on task-specific vocabulary and
communication.

•Here’s everything you need to know about an ESP course:

 What is English for
Specific Purposes
(ESP)?
•ESP focuses on the development of English
language communication skills customized according
to the required sector or department of the learner,
i.e. Finance, Hospitality, Marketing, etc. It focuses on
a particular field, allowing learners to master the
skills relevant to their professional needs and,
therefore, improve communication.

•According to Lorenzo (2005), ESP “concentrates

more on language in context than on teaching
grammar and language structures”.

•Points to remember:
•ESP is commonly taught to adult students
•Often delivered in a professional/office setting
•Converts learners into ‘users’ of the language via
intrinsic motivation
 What are the key
variables of ESP?
•Absolute Variables Characteristics

• Course content is created to meet detailed learner

needs
• It uses the primary practice and workings of the field or
sector it serves
• The grammar, terminology, register, skills, dialogue,
and genre of the language will depend upon the
learner’s activities or field of work
 What are the key variables of
ESP?
•Variable Characteristics

• ESP may be created for specific subjects

• It may use a different teaching strategy than that of General English or English as a
Foreign Language (EFL) in certain situations
• Most likely designed for adult students, learning at either a professional, tertiary, or
secondary level
• Primarily meant for intermediate or advanced learners
• Most ESP courses expect the learner to have basic fluency in the language
How does ESP differ from
other English language
courses?
•ESP is an advance approach to language teaching in which all the
choices related to content and strategy are supported on the
learner’s reason for learning
•In comparison to general English language training, ESP has an
advanced approach as content is designed for adult, mature
learners who are professionals or experts in a work situation. The
content is based on the learner’s requirements, and it teaches
task/job-specific vocabulary.
• For example, the English language necessities of a salesperson
or a construction manager would be completely different from
each other. While the former would need to learn terms such as
‘return on investment’ or ‘price strategy’, the latter would need
to learn key safety terms to carry out their job efficiently.
 Faster acquisition of the required English
language terms: as the content is context-
based, it allows students to learn in an
What are accelerated manner.

the Optimum use of their learning resources,

all of which are pre-identified according to
benefits the goals and needs of the learner.

of taking Effective content application as learners

can use the appropriate language
an ESP terminology on the job soon after the
completion of the course.
course? Rapid increase in job productivity and
efficiency as employees are better
prepared to communicate with their
clientele and colleagues.
 Can I teach English for
Specific Purposes?
• There is no reason any TEFL teacher cannot teach any ESP
class. There is no need to panic if you find yourself about to
teach an ESP course related to a field you know nothing
about. You do not need to have any experience in that field –
just like you don’t need to be a businessman or –woman to
teach Business English – though of course it will help if you
do. If you don’t, all you need to do is do your research. These
days there are books dedicated to specific ESP courses which
you can use to identify the language and the skills needed for
that particular class and as the basis for your lessons, just as
you would any General English coursebook.
 Considerations when teaching
English for Specific Purposes
• Teaching ESP is a bit of a juggling act; it’s not the same as
teaching a General English class. For the most part, you
won’t be familiar with the content, which means you will have
to do loads more research and preparation before your
classes. The language is really important and, in some cases,
can mean the difference between keeping and losing a job (in
hospitality, for instance) or even life and death (in medicine
or aviation). So, it is vital that your students walk out of your
classes with high levels of accuracy. Also, there might not be
as much support in your institution with regards to your ESP
classes, because there is a chance no one has taught that
particular class before. Again, it is on you as the teacher to
find the resources that you need and prepare as best you
can.
 Resources for
teaching English for
Specific Purposes
• It is directed to people aiming to study
or perfect their vocabulary and skills
specific to a type of employment, or
business sector. Here are some
examples: Technical English, Scientific
English, English for the medical
professionals, English for tourism and
hospitality, Legal English, etc.

• Here is a list of useful ESP resources I

have found:
 1: Technical English

• This site has clearly labelled worksheets that are easy to print. It has a
great variety of levels as well as types of activities: ESL Printables

2: Academic English
• This page offers clear advice and step-by-step instructions on how to
structure your class on Academic English. They also provide numerous
worksheets ready for you to download. Some of their resources include
email writing, how to write your university application, how to write your
biography and presentation skills: TEFLtastic
 3: English for Hotels and Tourism

• The page speaks for itself. The units are clearly indicated, there are lists
of vocabulary, and activities to practise it: English4Hotels. And this is a
book available for download on the same topic English for Tourism

4: Legal English
• This ESP resource includes vocabulary, especially on crime and
punishment, and lots of activities to practise such vocabulary in
context. TEFLtastic- Law and also iSLCOLLECTIVE
 5: Medical English

• Reading, vocabulary, as well as listening activities right here

medicalEnglish

6: English for Diplomacy

• This ESP resource has writing exercises for tone, tact, and diplomacy:
linguahouse and this site has a number of exercises:
Breaking News English.com
 7: Email English

• There are lots of online resources to share with your students while
teaching online. Here are some of the best: Email English Worksheets
and here, if you don’t mind creating an account: iSLCOLLECTIVE

8: Business English
• Business English skills can involve answering the phone,
videoconferencing with your clients, negotiation, how to interview
online, coaching, vendor vocabulary, making suggestions, etc. Here is a
great source of online materials: businessenglishpod.com
 10: English and Science
• I’d call this, “How to teach English with Science.” Here are some great
examples of practical scientific concepts while using English. The page
includes lesson plans, worksheets and videos: British Council

11: English for aviation

• Latitude Here you will find a selection of five aviation English activities
taken from the Foundation Teacher’s Pack for you to download and use
in your traditional or online classroom. In each zipped folder, you will
find:
• Teacher’s notes, a worksheet, presentation slides, where applicable,
Commonly used activities in an ESP program:
Role play and Simulation. Students assume a different role or a role that is present in their
future work area. For example, a student pilot may assume the role of the captain and give orders
to his crew or report coordinates to the air traffic control tower.

Case studies. This activity is common in business, medicine, and law. It involves studying the
facts of a real-life case, discussing the issues involved, and coming up with a decision or plan.

Project work. Here students work on a particular “project” which may include out of the class
activities. Then, students are expected to construct manuals, which explain how it works and/or
discuss how their project was made. This may be applicable to engineering students specifically
to those who are in the field of robotics and other innovative gadgets.

Oral presentations. Relevant to the activities above, students may present or even defend a
particular product or issue. Here, students are exposed to possible academic or work environment
that they may face in the future.