ESP vs General English
What does ESP stand for?
English for Specific Purposes.
What type of English is used by doctors and nurses?
Medical English
What does “needs analysis” mean?
Identifying what learners need English for.
Which skill involves understanding spoken English?
Listening
Who usually teaches English in an ESP course?
An ESP teacher
What is the main aim of General English?
To develop general communication skills.
What type of English is useful for lawyers?
Legal English.
Why is needs analysis important in ESP?
It helps teachers design a course that matches learners’ needs.
Which skill is especially important for writing professional emails?
Writing
Does an ESP teacher need to understand students’ professional needs?
Yes
What is the main aim of ESP?
To meet learners’ specific academic or professional needs.
What type of English is commonly used in international companies?
Business English.
What can a teacher ask students during a needs analysis?
Their goals, profession, situations, and language difficulties.
Why is specialized vocabulary important in ESP?
It helps learners communicate accurately in their professional field.
What is one advantage of ESP for university students?
It prepares them for academic or professional communication.
Give one example of ESP.
Medical English / Business English / Legal English.
What type of English is related to aviation?
Aviation English.
Should ESP courses be the same for doctors and engineers? Why?
No, because their professional language needs are different.
Give one example of specialized vocabulary in Medical English.
Diagnosis / symptom / treatment / prescription.
Can technology be useful in ESP? Give one example.
Yes—online simulations, videos, specialized dictionaries, learning platforms, etc.
What is one major difference between ESP and General English?
ESP focuses on specific needs, while General English focuses on broader language skills.
Give two professions where ESP is especially important.
Any two: doctors, lawyers, engineers, pilots, business professionals, etc.
What might happen if an ESP course ignores learners’ needs?
The course may be less useful and less relevant to learners.
In ESP, why can authentic materials be useful?
They expose learners to real-world professional language.
Why can ESP increase students’ motivation?
Because the English they learn is directly connected to their goals and future careers.