English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
These courses are designed to help students perform more effectively within very specific functional fields. The courses focus heavily on the vocabulary and skills needed for work. The course structure is a highly-tailored combination of input from the students and research by the teacher.
What are the main differences between general language training and ESP courses?
| Area | General Language Courses | ESP Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Group composition | Various departments | Same BU/department |
| Participants | Different experience | Same professional training/experience |
| Level | All | Above intermediate |
| Lesson format | Usually 90 minutes | Longer sessions beneficial |
| Teacher | Minimum RLC requirements | Senior teacher, function-specific experience |
| Self-study | Optional | Required |
| Specific preparation – students & teacher | Optional | Required |
| Preparation, follow-up & marking time | Standard | Circa + 50 - 100% |
| Feedback | General | Function-focused |
| Course tasks | Varied | Concrete working tasks |
Typical ESP courses
HR – common course components
- The recruitment process
- Working conditions
- Terms of employment
- Remuneration
- Training and Development
- Theories of motivation
- Appraisal and career management
- The legal environment
- Health, safety and welfare
Finance – common course components
- Essential financial terms
- Key concepts in corporate finance
- Accounting principles
- Accounts receivable/payable
- Balance sheet
- Profit and loss accounts
- Stock markets and terminology
- Financial derivatives
Legal English – common course components
- The constitution
- Country-specific legal systems
- Employment law
- Law of tort
- The judicial system
- International law – human rights
- Corporate law
Management themes – common course components
- Change management
- Knowledge management
- Corporate governance
- Leadership
- Cultural factors in Int. management
- Corporate Strategy
The above are just an example of the typical ESP course and the common course components. From our experience it has become clear that each course differs in content and focus, so ‘tailoring’ is essential.
Cross-Culture according to The Lewis Model
The Lewis Model has been receiving attention in a number of business and academic books recently, as well as in magazines. There are chapters including it in three books out in the near future include:
15/05/2008
Czech proverb
As long as the language lives, the nation is not dead.
Japanese proverb
It's the nail that sticks up that gets hammered down.
What’s your Personal Cultural Profile?
If you would like to try out CultureActive, our Personal Cultural Profiler, click here for a multimedia introduction and the chance to take your own assessment at the end.
Language- Overview
- The Methodology
- The Tutors
- Testing & Needs Analysis Process
- Grouping Audit & Thorough Testing and Needs Analysis
- Numerical Levels & Competence Categories
- Materials
- Goals & Measurement
- Learning Styles
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
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