ESP 연구방향성의 사회역사적 연구

A socio-historical study of research directionality in ESP

Research in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) inherently differs from general English (GE) education, as ESP targets specific needs, thus distinguishing itself from the broader objectives of traditional English instruction. Due to the specialized nature of learners' environments, the development of ESP courses demands more precise and systematic approaches than those used in general education. It is significant to examine the evolution of existing research methodologies within ESP and to anticipate future directions. As the utilization and analysis of English vary substantially across different fields and disciplines, it is essential for researchers to discern and define the directions of ESP research. Thus, future research in ESP should develop digital literacy programs tailored to specific professional needs and enhancing ESP teacher education to address multicultural, multilingual contexts effectively. These efforts will elevate ESP to a more significant academic discipline, ensuring its relevance amidst rapid global and technological changes, and establish its foundational role in English education. To achieve this, there should be concerted efforts to facilitate ongoing research aimed at addressing the extant gaps in ESP education and learning.