ESP AT THE FLV

Assessment of the Current ESP Curriculum

Introduction
• The English studies curricula traditionally include courses that develop
theoretical and communicative competencies: language skills,
linguistic, literature and cultural courses.
• However, another aspect that has become increasingly important in
the past twenty years is the ESP competence.
• Within the English language program at the FLV the students are
offered courses in Business and Legal English, as these areas have
proven especially important for their future careers.
Program
• When it was first founded in 2006, the study program was called
Business and Legal English Studies, in line with the overall goals and
objectives of the institution
• -One of the objectives was for the program to provide competences
that were market-oriented and applicable – communicative
competence (translation, pragmatic, sociolinguistic and grammatical)
as well as professional skills necessary for the transition from
academic to business world (fundamentals of law, economics, and
business communication)
• The program included courses that were designed to equip students
with the above competences, e.g., Business English, Legal English,
Translation, Law, Economics, etc.
• -With Serbia involved in the EU integrations process and the influx of
foreign investments, it seemed sensible to educate professionals who
could be involved in the translation of legal documents, interpreting
in business and legal settings, and other kinds of business
communication.
• In 2010, the program name was changed to English Studies/Philology, now
reflecting the traditional approach to the study of English at the tertiary
level in Serbia. The curriculum was expanded to include more linguistic,
teaching methodology, and literature courses
• 1. inertness of the labor market and administration in Serbia, which meant
that the professional title was not recognized/verified quickly enough, and
graduates were being dismissed in favor of state university graduates;
• 2. most graduates found employment in the education system and needed
teaching competences.
• Flexibility and adaptability of the institution and the program
Courses
• -Business English 1, 2, and 3
• -Legal English 1, 2, and 3
• -In the 2nd accreditation cycle (2014), the course titles were changed
to reflect the course contents: Business Correspondence in English,
English for Banking, English for Finance; Introduction to LE, English
for Corporate Law, Legal English for Modern Business
• - In the 1st and 2nd accreditation cycle, all ESP courses were
mandatory; in the last cycle (2020) the final courses (English for IT
and Finance and LE for Modern Business) became elective
• the course syllabi were updated before the latest accreditation cycle
in 2018/19. A number of changes were introduced, e.g., the ESP
courses were moved to the higher years of study (3rd and 4th year).
• The syllabi contents were updated, and the IT field was introduced
into the Business English courses as knowledge in this field provides
students with necessary professional skills and tools.
Business English Courses
• GOALS:
• Introduce students to the contemporary English language of business
(business correspondence, banking, finance)
• OUTCOMES:
• Students understand the BE register and style
• Have acquired extensive BE vocabulary
• Can communicate (verbally and in writing) in business settings
Legal English Courses
• GOALS:
• Introduce students to fundamentals of English legal terminology, register and style
• Introduce students to Legal English vocabulary related to contract law, corporate law,
property law
• OUTCOMES:
• Students understand the LE register and style
• Understand differences between common and civil law
• Understand specific features of the UK and US legal systems
• Have acquired extensive LE vocabulary related to contract law, corporate law, property
law
• Can communicate (verbally and in writing) in legal settings