English for Specific Purposes, or ESP, refers to learning English because you have a specific need.

A poster with physics vocabulary

It can include the area of EPP, English for Professional Purposes.

Example
Survival English for immigrants, English for Hotel Management, and English for Air Traffic Controllers are all ESP.

In the classroom
Asking learners what they need to learn is an important element of ESP classes, as often their language needs and aims are very specific. This data can then be combined with the teacher's analysis of core language and learning needs in order to prepare a syllabus.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/what-do-esp-teachers-need-know-about-word-lists-language-learning-teaching

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/david-baker-keith-harding-esp-uk-esol-building-common-ground

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/common-ground-shared-interests-esp-communication-studies

Research and insight

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