Evolution of ESP

This lesson describes the emergence and development of 

Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) in general and ESP in particular. 

Evolution

ESP or English for Specific Purposes is a flourishing field of study and research in

applied linguistics and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It has been developing

steadily since the 1960s. The main reasons behind the emergence and development of ESP

and specialized classes are related to the following:

- The demands of a brave new world

- Revolution in linguistics

- New focus on the learner.

Activity: Pair work- Discuss the reasons behind the creation of specialized classes.

What Hutchinson and Waters (1987) stated elaborates the idea of the need for more

specialized classes. They believe that “…, it created a new generation of learners who knew

specifically why they were learning a language…” (p. 6)

With this new perspective in teaching English as Foreign Language, it became

apparent that discourses vary according to the contexts. It was, accordingly, necessary to

reorganize the teaching and learning methodologies and make the specific features of each

situation the basis of the learner’s courses. Thus, the terminology, method, and techniques will vary.