What does the term "English for Specific Purposes" (ESP) refer to?

The term "English for Specific Purposes" (ESP) focuses on tailoring language instruction to meet the specific needs of a particular field or profession. This approach is designed to prepare learners for using English in specific contexts, such as business, medicine, law, or technology.

ESP courses are built around the particular language, vocabulary, and communicative skills required in a specific area, ensuring that the instruction is relevant and directly applicable to the students' professional or academic goals. This specialization enhances the learner's ability to effectively communicate and perform within their chosen field, making ESP a highly targeted and practical form of language education.

This is distinct from a general English course, which serves a broad audience and covers a wide range of topics without focusing on any particular area. Similarly, focusing solely on basic conversational skills would not meet the unique demands of professionals needing advanced language proficiency tailored to specific tasks, and standardized instruction across all fields lacks the customization that ESP provides to address individual or industry-specific requirements.