Abstract

English for specific purpose (ESP) has for about 30 years been a separate branch of English language Teaching (ELT). Recent years in China, with the development of international trade and foreign exchange, more and more in-service and pre-service staffs are expected to learn practical al and useful English language in order to adapt to the new situation. A course design in this case is initiated for a group of service agents from the airline. The aim of this course is to help the airline agents, whose services will inevitably involve communications with foreign guests in English, develop their language skills in air transport profession.

Highlights

  • English for specific purpose (ESP) has for about 30 years been a separate branch of English language Teaching (ELT)

  • ESP is an umbrella term embracing a number of sub-divisions and is often divided up into two main sub-branches: English for Academic Purposes (EAP), dealing with the use of English in study settings where the main goal of language learning is the ability to cope in the student’s chosen academic specialism; and English for Occupational Purposes (EOP), where the language is needed in the workplace environment of a job or profession. (Johnson & Johnson, 1998, p.106) Another perspective is of English for Science and Technology, English for Business and Economics and English for Social Science, each with an EAP and EOP division. (St John, 1996, p.3) English for Business Purpose (EBP) is currently the area of greatest activity and growth in ESP. (Dudley-Evans & St John, 1998, p.53)

  • English has become an international language or lingua franca in business communities (Crystal, 1997, p.10) English is no longer the language of England and America, and a classroom which focuses on using English in international contexts needs to reflect this change. (Paltridge, 1991, p.32) Most English-medium communications in business are non-native speaker to non-native speakers. (NNS-NNS) (Dudley-Evans & St John, 1998, p.53) One of the consequences of the role of English as the international language is that NNSs may understand each other more than the native speaker (NS) understands them

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Summary

Introduction

English for specific purpose (ESP) has for about 30 years been a separate branch of English language Teaching (ELT). This English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course is designed for a group of service agents from the airline. As the domains of air transport are mediated through the use of English as an auxiliary language, English proficiency becomes a necessity to airline personnel since nowadays more and more foreign guests visit China by air for traveling and business purposes. The aim of this course is to help the airline agents, whose services will inevitably involve communications with foreign guests in English, develop their language skills in air transport profession. A study of the course design is preferred in this case

Literature review of ESP Curriculum
Causes of the EBP growth
The impact of Internationalization and Globalization
Who needs Business English?
Classifications of EBP
Similarities and differences to other forms of ESP
EBP versus EAP
Characteristics of EBP language
Social aspects
Clear communication
Type of the course
Course focus
Overview of the course
Content of the course
Needs analysis
Learner assessment
Course evaluation
Conclusion
Full Text
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