As a language-related field, ESP draws on a wide range of concepts and theories associated with language teaching and learning. However, certain concepts and constructs are of particular relevance to ESP and have been developed and widely used within ESP research itself. As a first step, I would encourage novice researchers and researcher-practitioners in ESP to familiarise themselves with a small set of key concepts that have shaped the field.
Key publication 1
You may find this encyclopedia entry on ESP I co-authored with Lisa McGrath a useful starting point to understand the following concepts:
- Genre
- Discourse community
- Community of practice
- Needs analysis
In the same encyclopedia entry, you will also find discussion of several important trends in researching ESP, including:
- Researching ESP genres
- Ethnographic perspectives on researching ESP
- Critical perspectives on ESP
- Technology in ESP
- Research-informed pedagogy
Implications for practice and research
For novice researchers, engaging with these concepts helps to build foundational knowledge of ESP as a field and supports theoretically grounded research design. For practitioners, these concepts provide useful lenses for framing pedagogical questions; understanding these concepts also helps interpret empirical findings and decide whether and how to use them to inform practice.
