DISCIPLINARY DISCOURSE IN ESP CLASSES
TL;DR
Drawing on observations of undergraduate students in Information Technology (IT) and Mathematics, the importance of understanding language structures and their connection with context alongside the value of discourse-oriented practices focused on explanation, reasoning, and clarity is explored.
Abstract
Needs analysis, student-centered instruction, and the integration of domain-specific materials are the bedrock of effective English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classes. Once students are closer to becoming professionals, the lecturer has to focus in more detail on disciplinary discourse to prepare them for real-world situations. Attention must be paid to how experts use language to construct meaning while considering the environment, the actors and the purpose of the message. Simple lexis and grammar activities are not enough. Drawing on observations of undergraduate students in Information Technology (IT) and Mathematics, this paper explores the importance of understanding language structures and their connection with context alongside the value of discourse-oriented practices focused on explanation, reasoning, and clarity. The paper defines ESP as a dynamic, discourse-based, and human-centered framework that can be relevant to learners as long as it responds to the realities of their academic and professional lives.