Maria Isabel Acosta
Departamento de Lingüística Alejandro Barrios
Inglés con fines específicos Laura Chavez
T2425-1 Isabella Simancas
TEACHERS AND
STUDENTS IN ESP
WHERE LANGUAGE MEETS PURPOSE
CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE
ESP TEACHERS UNIQUE
LACK OF ORTHODOXY
ESP teachers often need to innovate and be flexible in their
approach, as the learners' specific needs may deviate from
traditional English teaching methods. They prioritize
teaching English in authentic contexts related to their
learners' specific needs. For instance, a teacher specializing
in medical English might incorporate real-life case studies
and medical journals, making lessons highly relevant.
NEW REALMS OF KNOWLEDGE
ESP teachers must engage with specialized content
that extends beyond general language skills. They
familiarize themselves with specific vocabulary,
concepts, and practices relevant to various disciplines.
ESP teachers often become learners, continuously
updating their knowledge. For example, they might
incorporate corpus linguistics techniques to identify
common language patterns in their subject area, or
use technology to enhance their students' learning
experience.
CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF
ENGLISH TEACHING
As English transitions from being a standalone subject to
a tool that supports various specialized fields, ESP
teachers become more accountable to others and take
on additional roles, including that of a negotiator, to
navigate these complexities and collaborate effectively
with sponsors and subject specialists. This change in the
status of English teaching reflects the growing
recognition of the importance of English language skills
in a variety of professional and academic settings.
(Hutchinson & Waters, 1991)
Maria Isabel Acosta
Departamento de Lingüística Alejandro Barrios
Inglés con fines específicos Laura Chavez
T2425-1 Isabella Simancas
TEACHERS AND
STUDENTS IN ESP
WHERE LANGUAGE MEETS PURPOSE
CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE
ESP STUDENTS UNIQUE
INTEREST FOR LEARNING
ESP tailors language instruction to fit students' unique
interests and career goals, boosting motivation and
effectiveness in learning English. Emphasizing meaning
over isolated language patterns helps students better
understand and retain material by focusing on context
and intent. Observing language used authentically
fosters deeper comprehension and functional
proficiency. For example, a medical student in a ESP
course can benefit from focusing on medical
terminology and analyzing real-world medical
conversations to better understand how the language
is used in their field.
SUBJECT-CONTENT KNOWLEDGE
ESP students are already familiar with the
purposes for using English in their specific field.
Knowledge of the subject area helps learners
connect vocabulary and structures in the
classroom to real-world contexts, leveraging their
existing knowledge to facilitate English learning.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
Adults can benefit from their developed
learning skills, enabling them to learn faster
and more efficiently. Educated adults
continuously acquire new language skills in
their native languages, making them adept at
expanding vocabulary, fluency, and adapting
linguistic behavior to new situations. ESP
students can leverage these innate
competencies to enhance their English
learning.
Maria Isabel Acosta
Departamento de Lingüística Alejandro Barrios
Inglés con fines específicos Laura Chavez
T2425-1 Isabella Simancas
TEACHERS AND
STUDENTS IN ESP
WHERE LANGUAGE MEETS PURPOSE
REFLECTION
Laura
Teachers and students in ESP are unique due to their focus on specialized
vocabulary and context-specific communication. Unlike traditional ESL or
EFL settings, ESP requieres teachers to have a deep understanding of
specific fields. While both ESP and general English classrooms share
fundamental teaching principles, the specific content creates distinct
dynamics. Personally, I find pursuing a teaching career in ESP very
interesting, as it combines my love for languages with the opportunity to
engage with diverse areas.
Alejandro
What distinguishes teachers and students in ESP is their specialized
language needs linked to individual professional or academic goals,
ensuring practical relevance in the classroom. Despite these unique
requirements, both ESP and general English instruction share a common
aim: fostering language proficiency. Personally, while teaching English is
not my forte and I would not pursue a teaching career, I hold deep
admiration for educators who undertake this challenging yet rewarding
profession, recognizing it as a demanding yet noble pursuit.
María Isabel
ESP teachers and students are unique because they focus on tailoring English
instruction to specific fields, blending language skills with subject expertise.
Understanding the distinct language needs of learners in various professions is
crucial, as it allows for customized teaching methods that support their career
goals. This perspective broadens my understanding of language education and
emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. To
improve my future practice, I plan to deepen my knowledge of ESP
methodologies, explore areas where language intersects with different
professions, and collaborate with experts to enhance my skills while actively
seeking clarity through research and networking to address any uncertainties.
Isabella
ESP is a subfield of English language learning that is differentiated by its
emphasis on tailoring instruction to fit the particular requirements for specific
professions or industries. In contrast to ESL and EFL, which place more
emphasis on general English language proficiency, ESP teachers frequently
have extensive knowledge of both the English language and a specific field, like
business or medicine. This allows them to offer more specialized language
learning experiences tailored to the individual needs and environments of their
students. Even though I don't see myself becoming a teacher, I do understand
the value of specialized language skills in a variety of vocations, like translation,
where accurate transmission requires a broad vocabulary and understanding in
particular disciplines.
References
Fiorito, L. (2024). Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP). UsingEnglish.com.
https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/articles/teaching-english-for-specific-purposes-
esp.html#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20role%20of,native%2Dlanguage%20knowledge%20and%20skills
Hutchinson, T. and Waters, A. (1991). English for Specific Purposes: A Learning-centred Approach. Sect. 4, p. 157-
169.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i-6fBLNid9AV654gixXWQguCycNal3MY/view
