CC BY
116IMPORTANCE OF ESP AS A NEW FIELD IN UZBEKISTAN Zufarova K.
Zufarova Kamola - Teacher, DEPARTMENT OF PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGES UNDER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGES FACULTY 3,
UZBEKISTAN STATE WORLD LANGUAGES UNIVERSITY, TASHKENT, REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Abstract: english for Specific Purposes (ESP) hasbecome a successful fieldover the recentperiod. As a learner-centered approach, its main purpose has been achieving the specific needs of target learners to fulfill either their professional or vocational needs. Speaking about the history of this newborn science field, as it is known, initial origins of ESP goes back to the end of Second World War.
Keywords: ESP, EAP, EOP, teaching technology.
A great variety of fields appeared and took the rapid development after the war. Economy, technology, sociology, science and such other spheres faced enormous changes and enhancements.The common language the specialists use became the English language. Therefore, need to learn English was considered as crucially important issue to become aware of the world affairs and developments in different fields for an every single specialist. That process opened a new gateway to the start and flourishing future of ESP.
In the new commerce driven world, people understood the need of knowledge of English, which was measuredas the recognized international language.
Nonnative speakers saw it as the new lingua franca that responded to their needs of cross cultural communication, business doing, and information sharing. In fact, co-editor of the journal English for Specific Purposes evaluated the matters of this journal for the last years and came up with some attention-grabbingideas in his article "A History of ESP Through 'English for Specific
Purposes.' First, the increased number of studies conducted outside the U.S. and U.K., such as Central and South America, China and Hong Kong, demonstrates the growing acceptance of ESP as an academic discipline interesting conclusion explained in his article is the specificity towards ESP, which includes EAP and EOP, is headed. Secondly, the topics observed seem to have become more EOP oriented and apparently, they have obviated more general program descriptions.
The starting point for all language teaching should be an understanding of how people learn. But it is too often the case that "learning" factors are the last to be considered. Learning factors are incorporated only after the language base has been analyzed and systematized. Yet, language can only be properly understood as a reflection of human thought processes.
Developments in learning theory have followed a similar pattern to those in language descriptions and each has had some effect on the other. But, if we are to see the importance of each for language teaching, it is best to consider the theories relating to language and learning separately. ESP is developed and structured in different ways and styles in different countries according to their geographical position and climate, type of industry, agriculture, specific conditions, social, cultural, political and economic point of views, lifestyle of the population of thisparticular country. Moreover, mandatory and necessary professions and such other factors are taken into account while forming ESP structure of any country.
Another reason why every country should create their own ESP material can be expenses and financial issues. Without a doubt, publishing books and periodicals on any purpose, such as ESP may cost high amount of money. For this reason, they are often published in limited spheres according to the specific needs of the country. Looking at the issue by another perspective, not every country shows interest to create materials for other countries which can be unnecessary for their own purposes.
Deep reforms were done in all fields of our life when Uzbekistan achieved its independence and such modification was alleged on educational sphere too. There shown urgent issues
such as, reforming the education system in Uzbekistan and raising its quality so that it can meet the requirement of modern world. To be familiar with ongoing world affairs one should have knowledge of language, to be precise English as it is internationally accepted and widespread.
Speaking about the position and importance of ESP in Uzbekistan, it is newly developing field in our country. We have different spheres which require the materials of ESP subject here in Uzbekistan. Such as economy, industry, manufacturing, agriculture including cotton producing industry, gardening and wheat producing and etc.
If the necessary materials on ESP are prepared and spread to the specialists of these fields, of course, with training courses for them beforehand, there will be positive results. Because, the specialists often do not have the accessibility to be familiar with all the information and news ongoing around the globe related to their sphere. However, by the help of ESP courses and materials, the specialists could have more chance to deal with these issues.
If a teacher is supposed to hold an ESP lesson, there is less availability of materials most of the time in Uzbekistan. Therefore, teachers may have to rely on different kinds of sources or search for information on the internet and match the found data. This process is too time-consuming and bewildering for a teacher. It will be very helpful if a system of ESP training courses are established and new suitable materials are designed and delivered where necessary.
References
1. Dudley-Evans. T., 2001. English for specific purposes. In R. Carter & D. Nunan (Eds.). Teaching English to speakers of other languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
2. Hutchinson T. & Waters A., 1987. English for specific purposes: A learning-centred approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
