Teaching ESP for Freeshman of Politeknik Kediri (Faculty of Technic)

Introduction

English for specific purposes (ESP), not to be confused with specialized English, is a sphere of teaching English language including Business English, Technical English, Scientific English, English for medical professionals, English for waiters, English for tourism, English for Art Purposes, etc. Aviation English as ESP is taught to pilots, air traffic controllers and civil aviation cadets who are going to use it in radio communications. ESP can be also considered as an avatar of language for specific purposes.

Absolute characteristics

• ESP is defined to meet specific needs of the learners (Maslow's hierarchy of needs).
• ESP makes use of underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves.
• ESP is centered on the language appropriate to these activities in terms of grammar, lexis, register, study skills, discourse and genre.

Variable characteristics

Strevens' (1988) ESP may be, but is not necessarily:

1. Restricted as to the language skills to be learned (e.g. reading only);
2. Not taught according to any pre-ordained methodology (pp.1-2)

Anthony (1997)

1. ESP may be related to or designed for specific disciplines;
2. ESP may use, in specific teaching situations, a different methodology from that of general English;
3. ESP is likely to be designed for adult learners, either at a tertiary level institution or in a professional work situation. It could, however, be for learners at secondary school level;
4. ESP is generally designed for intermediate or advanced students;
5. Most ESP courses assume some basic knowledge of the language system, but it can be used with beginners (1998, pp. 4-5)

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_for_specific_purposes

The Lesson

Several days ago, I have joined to the English Language Application Program for ESP. The subject was freshman of Politeknik Kediri. The faculty was Technical Engineering. My result were:

1. Teaching ESP for other English Department was very difficult enough.
2. The lecturer needs more agility to teach other English Department.
3. The students were less of English Language knowledge.
4. Module for teaching ESP was very important one. (For Researchers, they can make some Research and Development (R&D Research).
5. Convenient class was very needed for teaching and learning process.

Other factors:

1. Inconvenient place make the students felt worry and uncomfortable
2. Basic knowledge about English
3. Material for Technical Engineering should be increase.
4. The lecturer has to active, creative, innovative, and Fun (PAKEM)
5. Choosing the best approach will help the lecture

Point of views

To blow up your mind, below are the pictures during the lesson. The lecturer caught these pictures during the lesson.

The students actually were very active. Only some students were afraid to speak English. Only some students have high knowledge about English. Because of the method used by the lecturer and the place was did not permit the students moved around the class it made them worry and uncomfortable. The material being discussed was very simple. It told about Greeting and Introduction.

Expressions of Greeting:

• How do you do?
• Good morning.
• Good afternoon. 
• Good evening.
• Good day.
• Hello.
• Hi!
• Nice to see you.
• Good to meet you.
• Pleased to meet you.
• How nice to meet you.
• How are you?
• How are you doing?
• How have you been?
• How is it going on?
• Good bye.
• Bye.
• See you.
• See you later.
• Cheerio.

Response:

• How do you do?
• 
  
• Good morning.
• Good afternoon.
• Good evening.
• Hello.
• Hi!
• Nice/good/pleased to meet you too.
• Yes, it's been so nice.
• I’m fine thank you.
• Not bad.
• I am very well.
• I’m alright/good.
• It’s ok.
• Good bye.
• Bye.
• See you.
• See you later.
• Cheerio.

Based on the expressions have mentioned above, for the English Language Students it was very easy to understand it but it was rather difficult to express that expression. Then, if the English Language students felt like that so what about the other faculty/department? Here, I made two questions only. My questions are:

1. Could you tell me what are the best method to teach English Language to other English Department?
2. Do the higher lecturer's competence have, better they achieve the performance at the Class?

Ok well. That's my experience when I taught ESP for the other English Department. I need some critics or comments. It will make some additional idea or knowledge. Thanks