2. English for Specific Purposes ESP
a. The Nature of ESP
English in vocational high schools is categorized as English for Specific Purposes ESP for the reason that the materials are specific to
particular study programme based on the learning goals and needs of the students. What is ESP? Hutchinson and Waters 1987: 19 define ESP as
an approach to language teaching and learning in which its method and content are designed based on the learners’ needs for learning. It should be
viewed not as a certain language product but instead an approach to language teaching and learning.
ESP is emerged to the development of English in accordance to the following reasons Hutchinson and Waters, 1987:
1 The demands of a Brave New World
After the end of Second World War in 1945, scientific, technical and economic scientific activites dominated by technology and
commerce are growing fast. In relation to this issue, English became the international language for them who know the importance of learning it,
not only for prestige or pleasure. 2
A revolution in linguistics The aim of linguistics had been to describe the rules of language
usage or grammar. However, the new studies shifted attention away from defining the formal features of language usage to discovering the
ways in which language is actually used for communication. English
needed by a certain group of learners could be identified by analyzing the linguistics characteristics of their specific area of study.
3 Focus on the learner
Educational psychology also contributed in the development of ESP, which is emphasizing the importance of the learners and the
attitude towards the learning. This also means that language learning should be based on the learning needs on specific area.
The aim of ESP is to equip the learners proper English in the aspects of academic, professional, or work field specifically designed for their
study programme. The importance and the implications of the materials developed should be based on the learners’ needs. In an English for
Specific Purpose course, the process of the students’ needs is called Needs Analysis Hutchinson and Waters, 1987.
b. Needs Analysis on ESP
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