Definitions
Master’s (2005, p.99) definition: “ESP is a division of English Language Teaching (ELT), the only other member of which is English for General Purposes.”
McDonough’s (1998, 105) definition: A dictionary definition “‘ESP’ describes language programmes designed for groups or individuals who are learning with an identifiable purpose and clearly specifiable needs.”
“Language is learnt not for its own sake or for the sake of gaining a general education, but to smooth the path to entry or greater linguistic efficiency in academic, professional or workplace environments” (Basturkmen, 2006, p.18).
Johns and Price-Machado’s (2001, p. 43) definition: “English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a movement based on the proposition that all language teaching should be tailored to the specific learning and language use needs of identified groups of students—and also sensitive to the sociocultural contexts in which these students will be using English.”
Johns and Dudley-Evans’ (1991, p. 298) definition: “ESP requires the careful research and design of pedagogical materials and activities for an identifiable group of adult learners within a specific learning context.”
Paltridge and Starfield’s (2013, p. 2) definition: “English for specific purposes (ESP) refers to the teaching and learning of English as a second or foreign language where the goal of the learners is to use English in a particular domain.”
Hutchinson and Waters’ (1987, p. 19) definition: “ESP … is an approach to language teaching in which all decisions as to content and method are based on the learner’s reason for learning.”