English for Occupational Purposes EOP

2.2.3 Types of ESP

There have been a number of attempts to draw up a classification for the different branches of ESP. Consequently, Strevens 1977 identifies two main types of ESP: 1. English for Academic Purposes 2. English for Occupational Purposes. The figure below shows the branches of ESP and thereafter follows the explanation. Figure 1: Branches of ESP

2.2.4 English for Occupational Purposes EOP

Anthony 1997 defines EOP as the portion of the curriculum which prepares students for gainful employment in occupations ranging from low-skilled to sophisticated jobs in technical fields. According to him, most EOP classes will ESP EOP EAP VSL Vocational English e.g. English for Auto Mechanics Professional English for Business, Economics etc EAP English for Academic Purposes EST English for Science and Technology consistently expose students to sufficient training in reading, writing, speaking and listening. From the trainings, the students explore their specific job functions that are required and necessary in their field of work. In EOP, instructors are more interested in exposing learners to work place skills which are needed to enter, maintain and advance in the world of work Bukhart, 1996. This is because the learners are more interested in preparing themselves for better and more opportunities for success in the work place. Dominguez and Rokowski 2002 pointed out that EOP emerged due to the fact that English has become a necessary tool in order to obtain a job, get promoted, and perform effectively in the job market. Similarly, Swales 1990 noted that EOP is where English is used for finding or keeping a job, or more generally any activity that is related to work. In many EOP studies and modules, needs analysis leads to a well structured and organised programme. The Tour Guide ESP course falls under EOP since its aim is to equip learners with the necessary communicative skills to enable them function competently in the work place target situation. This can be reinforced by Dudley-Evans and St. John 1997 who argued that the teaching process of any kind of language for occupational purposes should take as a starting point the analysis of the four language skills within an appropriate context. Generally, one can argue that EOP is more general than ESP because it does not focus on the specific job disciplines but more general on basic skills required by students in order to prepare them for the work place.

2.2.5 English for Academic Purposes EAP