Differences between EGP and ESP

EGP ESP
1 Focus on education Focus on training
2 Future English needs are impossible English is intend to be used in specific
vocational contexts
3 Aim is to create competence about Aim Is to create a restricted English
English at general level competence
4 Language m isolation (unaware about Language in context (aware about future)
future)

Definition or ESP (Strevens 1998): 4 absolute and 2 variable characteristics.

Absolute characteristics:
1. It meets specific needs of the learners.
2. Related in context to particular disciplines, occupations and activities.
3. Centered on language appropriate to those activities in syntax, lexis, discourse,
semantics and so on and analysis of discourse.
4. In contrast with general English.

Variable characteristics:
1. May be restricted as to the learning skills to he learnt.
2. May not to he taught according to any pre-ordained methodology.
Business English Teaching (Charles 1994 &1996)
Business English teaching should reflect the business m which business meetings or
negotiations take place.
Business English Communication (Pickett, 1988)
Business English can also he seen as a mediating language between the technicalities
of particular business and the language of the general public.
Advantages of ESP
1. It wastes no time because focuses on learners' needs.
2. 2 Relevant to the learners.
3. It is successful in imparting learning.
4. Most cost effective than general English.

Carrier Content and Real Content:

 Carrier Content Real Content
1 Subject related factual content Real content is embedded into Carrier
Content
2 Focus of learners is Carrier content Focus of ESP teacher is real Content
3 Subject of a text Language items
4 What is it about
5 Life cycle of plant Vocabulary of process and vocabulary of
time in the text of ‘life cycle of plant'’

Role of ESP Practitioner:

ESP practitioner as a:
1. Teacher
2. Course designer/ material provider
3. Researcher
4. Collaborator
5. Evaluator
ESP Practitioner will do Formative evaluation (based on negotiations, by
negotiations, needs would be fulfilled)
Formative evaluation includes following steps:
A. Evaluation of students, feelings.
B. getting list of needs and priorities.
C. Ming up these needs m next course.
ESP as a multidisciplinary activity
There are two aspects of multidisciplinary:
1. Needs and willingness to engage with other disciplines (Medical, business,
hospitality).
2. Need and willingness to draw on the insights of researchers in other disciplines.