What is ESP:

 an activity including education, training and practice which utilizes three main
fields of knowledge: language, pedagogy and the students’ subject matters
(Robinson, 1991).
 Hutchinson and Waters (1987) theorized that "ESP is an approach to language
teaching in which all decisions as to content and method are based on the
learner's reason for learning" (p. 19).
 Unlike General English language teaching which aims to move from a certain
point toward an often very indeterminate target, English for Specific Purposes
(ESP) intends to accelerate learners to a known destination. It is believed that
ESP is a necessarily practical attempt since the emphasis in ESP is on reaching
to a certain destination in the most time- and energy-efficient form.
 Generally, ESP has acted as an approach to assist language learners deal with
language features or to improve the abilities required to perform in a certain
field, profession, or workplace.
 Origin of ESP
 Three Main Reasons:
1. The Demands of a Brave New World
2. Revolution in Linguistics
3. Focus on the Learner
The Demands of a Brave New World: two main historical events led to the
development of ESP:
First, a great international development in scientific, technical and economic
aspects set out a new era after the Second World War in 1945.
As a result, English turned into the world’s international language for a number of
reasons, mainly due to the United States economic power. Thus, a great number of
people started to demand to learn English because English held a crucial role in
international flows of technology and trade.
Second, this evolution coincided with the Oil Crises in early 1970s leading to an
enormous flow of funds into oil-rich countries.
Limitations in time and money caused an urgent demand for economical courses
having specified objectives. Therefore, English teaching profession went through a
critical pressure to deliver the needed products.
Revolution in Linguistics: novel and innovative theories of language set out to
appear as the need for specific English courses was rising.
While traditional linguistics aimed to study grammar and language usage, the new
ideas focused on the use of language in real life, thereby different varieties of
language were taken into account in relation to particular contexts.
As a result, these new ideas combined with the development of English courses
tailored for specific needs of learners which highlighted a particular situation and
context based on learners’ needs. In conclusion, the cornerstone of ESP had
become teaching language to a specific group of learners based on their particular
area of work or study.
Focus on the Learner:
The third key factor which contributed to the emergence of ESP comes from the
developments in educational psychology. A fundamental attention began to be
given to learners’ needs, interests and their attitudes to learning which would
influence their motivation to learn and as a result affect their learning outcomes.
The focus on learner supported the significance of courses designed to meet the
learners’ relevant needs and interests. It was assumed that the relevance of English
courses to the learners’ needs would improve their motivation leading to efficient
learning.