Abstract
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses are present within most non-linguistic undergraduate studies offered in Spain. In particular, the University of Cádiz has a wide range of ESP teaching being delivered in the four campuses of the institution. Whereas this ESP instruction is thought as a way to help students develop language skills to be applied to their career paths, this very practical and useful goal may not be easily recognized by certain students. While previous research has revealed students’ attitudes towards learning ESP were generally positive, little has been said on their progression throughout the whole course. The aim of the present paper is to identify Law students’ approaches to a Legal English course taught through a specific methodology. Certain teaching strategies, which are also characteristic of the Content and Language Integrated Learning approach, were applied. For that purpose, the opinions of 88 respondents were collected and analysed during the second phase of their ESP course. Results revealed that although students showed a certain level of rejection before the course started, once they became well aware of the teaching methodology, their opinion changed positively. This would definitely be influenced by promoting students’ motivation, as well as the teaching methodology applied.
Highlights
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses are offered in most undergraduate programmes in Spanish universities
With this being thought as a way to foster the internationalization of their curriculum once there are about to finish their studies and start their professional career, a considerable number of students have identified this insertion of ESP teaching in their undergraduate programme as an obstacle to terminating their degree
It must be mentioned that the exams had not been held yet and that the survey was circulated under two specific circumstances which might have shortened the number of responses collected, including the following ones: the lesson chosen was one devoted to theory analysis, which prevents a considerable number of students from attending the lesson, as students’ attendance is rather prevailing in seminars
Summary
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses are offered in most undergraduate programmes in Spanish universities. In the case of Law students studying in our institution, they are required to pass an ESP course during the last semester of their degree With this being thought as a way to foster the internationalization of their curriculum once there are about to finish their studies and start their professional career, a considerable number of students have identified this insertion of ESP teaching in their undergraduate programme as an obstacle to terminating their degree. This controversial situation has made teachers concerned about the rationale behind these specific students’ negative attitude towards what was intended to be a benefit rather than a disadvantage.
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