Language for specific purposes
Encyclopedia
Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) has been primarily used to refer to two areas within applied linguistics:
LSP is a widely applied approach to second or foreign language teaching and training that addresses immediate and very specific needs of learners who need that language as a tool in their education, training or job. Needs analysis is the underlying “driver” for the development of LSP programs.
For example, English native speaking nurses who work in hospitals with a high percentage patient whose native language is Spanish might have to study Spanish for the very specific purpose of communication between nurses and patients. LSP can be used with any target language needed by the learners as a tool for specific purposes, and has often been applied to English (English for Specific Purposes, or ESP).
Language for Specific Purposes has also been used to refer to a branch of applied linguistics
which deals with a variety of language used by members of a particular subject field, concentrating on its genre
s, stylistic
features and technical lexis
. This research is relevant for such problem-based areas as language education
, translation
and the design of specialised dictionaries
. Some in the training area consider such research on Professional Communications as LSP-related research when it is paired with or applied directly to an LSP training program.
Content-based language instruction (CBI) is also sometimes confused with ESP. At the post-secondary level it is frequently used to motivate groups of learners who may be interested in the same professional field, providing meaningful communication opportunities. However, as in their regular studies they are usually not studying through a foreign/ second language (except for sheltered courses), they do not need English as a tool in their immediate studies. “Content-based instruction (CBI) is the integration of selected content with language teaching aims” (Brinton & Snow 2002, Brinton, Snow, Wesche 1989). Thus, when trying to identify which approach being taken, it is critical to ask, “Is it English for Specific Purposes or English through specific content themes or content areas?"
- one focusing on the needs in education and training.
- one with a focus on research on language variation across a particular subject field. A third approach, content or theme-based language instruction (CBI) has also been confused with LSP. These several uses of the label of LSP have caused some confusion internationally.
LSP is a widely applied approach to second or foreign language teaching and training that addresses immediate and very specific needs of learners who need that language as a tool in their education, training or job. Needs analysis is the underlying “driver” for the development of LSP programs.
For example, English native speaking nurses who work in hospitals with a high percentage patient whose native language is Spanish might have to study Spanish for the very specific purpose of communication between nurses and patients. LSP can be used with any target language needed by the learners as a tool for specific purposes, and has often been applied to English (English for Specific Purposes, or ESP).
Language for Specific Purposes has also been used to refer to a branch of applied linguistics
Applied linguistics
Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field of study that identifies, investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real-life problems...
which deals with a variety of language used by members of a particular subject field, concentrating on its genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s, stylistic
Stylistics
Stylistics might apply to:* The Stylistics, a Philadelphia soul group* Stylistics , the study of language and its context...
features and technical lexis
Lexis
Lexis may refer to:*Lexis , the total bank of words and phrases of a particular language, the artifact of which is known as a lexicon*Lexis *Lexis.com, part of the LexisNexis online information database-People with the name:...
. This research is relevant for such problem-based areas as language education
Language education
Language education is the teaching and learning of a foreign or second language. Language education is a branch of applied linguistics.- Need for language education :...
, translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
and the design of specialised dictionaries
Lexicography
Lexicography is divided into two related disciplines:*Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries....
. Some in the training area consider such research on Professional Communications as LSP-related research when it is paired with or applied directly to an LSP training program.
Content-based language instruction (CBI) is also sometimes confused with ESP. At the post-secondary level it is frequently used to motivate groups of learners who may be interested in the same professional field, providing meaningful communication opportunities. However, as in their regular studies they are usually not studying through a foreign/ second language (except for sheltered courses), they do not need English as a tool in their immediate studies. “Content-based instruction (CBI) is the integration of selected content with language teaching aims” (Brinton & Snow 2002, Brinton, Snow, Wesche 1989). Thus, when trying to identify which approach being taken, it is critical to ask, “Is it English for Specific Purposes or English through specific content themes or content areas?"
External sources
- Brinton, D., M. A. Snow. (2008) TESOL Virtual Seminar: The evolving architecture of CBI. Alexandria, Virginia: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. (Available through the online TESOL Resource Center.)
- Brinton, D. M., Snow, M. A., & Wesche, M. B. (1989). Content-based second language instruction. New York: Newbury House.
- Hutchinson, T. & A. Waters. (1987). English for Specific Purposes: A learning-centred approach. Cambridge: CUP.
- Hyland, K. (2002). Specificity revisited: how far should we go now? English for Specific Purposes,' 21.
- Robinson, Pauline. (1980). ESP (English for Specific Purposes). Oxford: Pergamon.
- Swales, J. M. (1985). Episodes in ESP. Oxford/ New York: Pergamon.
- Swales, J. M. (1992). Language for specific purposes. In W. Bright (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Linguistics (Vol. 2, 300--302). New York, Oxford: OUP.