Theoretical Framework & Growing Demand of ESP in Saudi Arabia

This paper aims to discuss theoretical framework of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and its growing demand in Saudi Arabian colleges and universities. ESP, which emerged as an approach to English language teaching in the 1960s has become immensely useful for teaching English to students of science &technology, business and management who are pursuing higher studies in Saudi Arabian universities. ESP is equally relevant for professionals such as doctors, engineers, businessmen, lawyers, artists, factory workers and other kinds of learners who have already entered in job markets. The present study also aims to explore the challenges ESP specialists are facing in ESP teaching scenario. It is recommended that ESP students be provided with content-based textbooks which incorporate topic-based, task-based and theme-based components. Subject oriented textbook must be carried through listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. It is also suggested that although teachers assigned to teach ESP courses need not be expert in the given specific domain but they should at least evince interest and gather necessary information about the specific contents prescribed in the ESP courses. This will definitely boost ESP teachers ’ expertise and confidence. By introducing content and task based syllabi with focused language goal for Saudi students, ESP can prove to be a catalyst for developing their language skills thereby making them more effective in their academic and professional pursuit