Information Technology and Languages for Specific Purposes in the EHEA: Options and Challenges for the Knowledge Society

Abstract

Information technology has become an essential part of all spheres of our lives, and in the domain of education, we have seen how technology has evolved alongside broader educational perspectives and social changes. In the context of language education, IT has played a key role in shaping LSP teaching and research. On the one hand, it has contributed to creating new demands and situations for specialized communication, along with new genres and skills (including electronic literacy). On the other hand, technological resources have allowed LSP teachers and researchers to access contexts of real language use, to analyze them, and to create authentic and relevant LSP teaching materials. This paper presents a review of the impact of IT on LSP in the context of the European university reform, focusing especially on central questions relevant to the LSP debate, such as the profiles of teachers and learners, the role of discipline knowledge, authenticity of materials and activities, and skills development. Some of the options for the integration of IT in LSP are illustrated through a project that involves the creation of an online learning environment for EAP (Quantum LEAP, Learning English for Academic Purposes).