English for Specific Purposes Vs. English for General Purposes (Justified!)

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What really is the most vital and practical approach or program in teaching English as a Second Language? ESP? EGP? Both? How could we justify that first thing shall be considered first when in fact, both are frameworks designed to develop especially the communicative needs of language learners?

With the consequential information I learned from our ESP class, I shall now try to elaborate the major differences as well as similarities between ESP and EGP. Moreover, I anticipate that the inputs coded in this reflection sheet may help my bewildered colleagues in pointing out the significant distinctions of the two topics.

First stop, ESP or English for Specific Purposes aims to develop learners’ communicative needs mainly for improvement. The fundamentals of the language are taught to them in order to be more prepared for their career path. For instance, if the learners shall be working as a call center agent, they are expected to learn the language skills that enable them to confidently respond to the concerns of their foreign customers. With the level of skills they need, the information may not be that in-depth that it may lead to teaching them the basic and complex principles embodying the language itself. In other words, they may not need to learn the complexities of the strict grammar rules since we understand that they shall not be teaching or doing language-teaching-related works while on duty. However, if the learners shall be working as an English teacher, of course they need to learn EVERYTHING about the language. They need to be knowledgeable enough on the simple and complicated things that contribute to the formation and use of the language. In addition, right after indulging themselves in learning ESP, they must possess the skills needed to be called as English instructors. From communicative to linguistic skills—they need to understand why and how language works.

Meanwhile, EGP or English for General Purposes aims to develop to form a strong language foundation of the learners in terms of basic grammar and communication. This is an approach predominantly used in primary schools intending to help primary students build self-assurance in using the language. In fact, even without physical evidences, it has been proven to have helped primary learners without giving them pressure and constraints that hinder their willingness to continue grasping the language.

To sum up everything, I conclude that there is really no valid reason to say that one approach or program is higher or more important than the other, because the two help in the holistic development of learners’ communicative and linguistic skills. The EGP builds the foundation of language knowledge enabling learners to connect it to their future study, and the ESP develops the skills needed to be used by the students as they work with their respective professions.

Lastly, the arguments about ESP and EGP must end up by realizing that both methods of language teaching bear great roles addressing the PRESENT and FUTURE needs of ESL learners. :)