English for Specific Purposes (ESP) NEAS 2013 Conference Presentation

University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching

PATRICK PHEASANT | Director

1

Outline

› What is English for Specific Purposes (ESP)?

› ESP at CET

› Course Design

› Example programs

› Questions

What is ESP?

› Brainstorm some ideas with the person next to you…

3

English for Specific Purposes

› designed to meet specific needs of the learner;

› makes use of the underlying methodology and the activities of the

discipline it serves

› centred on the language (grammar, lexis, register), skills, discourse and

genres appropriate to these activities

› may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from

that of general English;

› designed for adult learners, either at a tertiary level institution or in a

professional work situation

› generally designed for intermediate or advanced students

4

Basturkmen, H. (2010) Developing Courses in English for Specific Purposes

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

English for: • Architecture

• Engineering

• Business

• Law

• Nursing

• Health Sciences

• Science

• Agriculture

• Medicine

• Pharmacy

• Arts and Social Sciences

• Education and Social Work

4 week Customised

Programs

20 hrs / week

Explore subject areas and

Interests

Attend lecture audits

Experience university life

Can be combined with

internship

2014 Programs

Collaborative Process

Assessment Centre, Online Level Check, Needs Analysis & Program Design

Customised Program & Specialist Facilitator

Client Reporting & Action Planning

Customised for

students and/or client

6

Core Training Principles

Change and growth

Personal, social & professional competencies

Soft skills

(Discipline specific)

Language skills

Workshop Methodology

Lecture Content from academic and practitioner literature

Case Study Workshops

Team based learning and group work

Guest speaker presentations and briefings from industry experts

ESP Workshop methodology

8

Assessment Centre & Needs Analysis

9

Practicing Skills: 1:1 or Group Customised Program

10

Client Reporting & Action Planning

11

Strengths of the University Of Sydney Program

› Combines theoretical underpinnings and current research trends

› Provide real world skills and experiences

› Access to a range of leading academics, government and industry leaders

› Programs tailored to the specific needs of the client

› Integration with university and wider community

› Use of library resources such as libraries, events, faculty events, theatres,

social clubs, museums, free evening lectures, summer and winter school

and hosted publisher events

› Integration with CET teachers and staff, PD systems and processes as

much as possible

12

Examples of English for Healthcare

› Hoc Mai Foundation (2009, 2010, 2011)

- English for Nursing

- 10 weeks x 3hrs evening classes with internship through Office of Global Health

› Shanghai Jaiotong Medical School (2013)

- English for Medicine

- In country assessment centre + online level check and needs analysis

- 8 week program with Cell Biology guest lectures from Sydney Medical School

› Takasaki University of Health and Welfare (2011, 2012, 2013)

- English for Health Sciences

- 4 week program including 1 week independent projects

13

Questions