ESP in Thailand: Practical English Training for Professionals

Abstract

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is very practical for professional training. This is because ESP, of its very nature, according to Dudley-Evans, (1998), (1) is designed to meet the specific needs of a particular group of learners; (2) makes use of underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves; and (3) is centered on the language appropriate to these activities in terms of grammar, lexis, register, study skills, discourse and genre. Dudley-Evans, (1998, p. 4-5) also makes the nature of ESP clearer by listing other characteristics as follows:
1. ESP may be related to or designed for specific disciplines;
2. ESP may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from that of General English;
3. 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;
4. ESP courses are generally designed for intermediate or advanced students.
Most ESP courses assume some basic knowledge of language systems, so learners do not need to learn General English if they are qualified enough.