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ABSTRACT
Since its inception in the early 1960s, English for specific purposes (ESP) has been characterised as a materials-driven and a teacher-led movement. Distinctively separated from general English teaching, ESP teachers often function as designers and implementers in curriculum development. Attaining a certain degree of disciplinary expertise is the greatest challenge that they encounter while transitioning from general to specific language teaching. Recognising a dearth of research on ESP teacher development, this study has emerged from in-depth, unstructured interviews conducted with both novice and expert educators. This qualitative inquiry examines the collaborative strategies employed and hurdles encountered by ESP educators within the tertiary education arena, with a specific emphasis on their vital contributions to the English language instruction of undergraduate students in India. The findings offer insights into the evolving specificity of English language education in India, particularly for educators and institutions committed to improving language teaching practices in higher education.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Shahanas Punnilath Shanavas
Shahanas Punnilath Shanavas is a PhD research scholar in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Presently researching in the field of Applied Linguistics, her interests include English for Specific Purposes, TESOL and English Language Education.
Seema Singh
Seema Singh is currently Associate Professor of English and Soft Skills Trainer in the Department of Humanities & Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Areas of her research interest are Managerial Communication, Contemporary Indian Women’s Fiction in English, Feminist Narratology, Subaltern Writing of South Asia, Indigenous Literature, ELT, and Gender Studies.
K. J. Vargheese
K. J. Vargheese is an Associate Professor of English language and literature and Dean of International Affairs at Christ College (Autonomous), Kerala, India. His research interests are English Language Teaching, Technology Enhanced Language Learning and English for Specific Purposes.