Innovation in Language Learning

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) focuses on English language education in professional and academic settings. In internationalised higher education, ESP thus plays a dual role: first, to equip students with language skills required in the global workplace, and, second, to support learners during their studies in English-medium contexts. The interface of ESP and English-medium instruction (EMI) has started to attract increased attention from the scientific community. This contribution centres on the interplay of ESP and EMI, as it explores undergraduate engineering students’ perceptions of ESP as preparation for an English-taught aeronautical master’s programme. The sample (N = 26) consisted of 24 male and 2 female students, with a median age of 21 years, ranging from a minimum of 19 to a maximum of 27 years. This second-year bachelor’s group who had received ESP instruction was given the Oxford placement test (OPT) [1] to determine its general English level and a questionnaire survey on ESP. The survey sheet contained demographic items and questions on students’ experiences with ESP concerning EMI, their confidence when using English, and their self-assessment of English skills improvement. The group achieved an OPT median score of 44 points, with a minimum of 34 and a maximum of 54 points. Preliminary results indicate that participants perceived considerable improvement of their language skills through ESP. It is hoped that these results contribute to an increased awareness of the importance that ESP may assume for students enrolled in EMI programmes.

References [1] Oxford University Press and University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (2001). Quick placement test (UCLES, Version 1). Retrieved from: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/6780645/quick-placement-test