Contextualizing ESP


As discussed before, ESP (English for Specific Purposes) is not a new approach in the teaching area; yet it is becoming more and more influential in English teaching because it takes into account the real needs of students instead of the teachers' assumptions. But, what role do these needs have in teaching? What difference do they make in the process? 
According to Anthony
“ESP is an approach to language teaching that targets the current and/or future academic or occupational needs of learners, focuses on the necessary language, genres, and skills to address these needs, and assists learners in meeting these needs through the use of general and/or discipline specific teaching materials and methods.” (Anthony & Routledge, 2018)
Consequently, the students’ needs are the key point in deciding where a course is going. Now, there has to be an analysis of those needs in order to fulfill them appropriately because even though ESP does not normally focus on language, that may be one of the needs they have too. In order to accomplish the aims and objectives related to the needs’ analysis, teachers must keep in mind the population they assist and pay close attention to details.
The contextualization of the teaching-learning process becomes the main aspect to decide the direction whether it is ESP or EAP, or even any of the other branches in ESP. Context gives guidance and direction. It allows the teacher to have a better perspective of materials, methodology, content, and assessment. Needs provide the context necessary to understand the population, and as a result, create the motivation they must have to keep going.
So, what role do these needs have in teaching? What difference do they make in the process? Needs become the like a flashlight that lights the path in the crazy and hectic teaching highway. They point to the best direction to follow and as a result make the difference in the teaching-learning process because it transforms it into a more meaningful and personalized one.     
For further enlightenment and understanding…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgZQNvemOKg

Resultado de imagen para flashlight in the dark

Comments

  1. VivianApril 9, 2019 at 7:35 PM

    You're right! Contextualizing can strongly improve teaching and learning outcomes!

    ReplyDelete

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