Foreign language teaching in special directions (fields)
English for specific purposes (English for professional purposes) Part 1-2
80 minutes
To introduce the students to the course.
1. Harding, K. (2007) English for Specific Purposes (Resource books for teachers). 2. Jordan, R. R. (2005) English for Academic Purposes: A Guide and Resource Book for Teachers. 3. Dudley-Evans, T. & M-J. St John (1998) Developments in English for Specific Purposes.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Charts, laptop with speakers, audio recordings, handouts, video clips, white board
Objective:
to give students an opportunity to explore ESP approaches and practices
to help students develop their own approach to ESP
Lead in Time:
Materials: handouts and visual aids
Procedure:
Ask participants the following questions and elicit a few random answers after each question:
Who teaches English to students of other subjects?
Have you ever taught English to learners from other professions (e.g. managers of a multinational company; NGO staff; doctors aspiring to get a job in the UK etc.)?
How is this teaching different from teaching General English in language universities / faculties?
NB Answers will vary according to participants’ experience.
Teaching and learning General English in language universities and faculties have the English language as the focus and the medium of teaching. On the other hand, for students of mathematics, economics or medicine, English becomes an important tool for the students’ professional development and therefore teaching English to students of other subjects serves a specific purpose.
Elicit random answers. Give your feedback. Introduce the terms ‘English for General Purposes’ (EGP) and ‘English for Specific Purposes’ (ESP).
Ask participants the following question and elicit a few random answers:
What is the difference between teaching English to university students of Management and teaching English to professional managers working for a company?
Establish that within ESP it is important to distinguish between teaching ‘English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP), which deals with study-related language requirements and teaching ‘English for Occupational Purposes’ (EOP), which deals with job-related language requirements. Say that you would like participants to explore these ESP-specific issues in more detail.
