ESP Research in Korea: Current Status and Implications for Korean ELT
摘要
This chapter explores the current status and implications of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) research in South Korea, emphasizing its significance in enhancing English Language Teaching (ELT). While the global demand for ESP continues to grow across academic and occupational domains, Korea’s progress in this field has been relatively limited. Through an analysis of ESP research trends in the domestic journal English Teaching and its comparison with ESP studies in the international journal English for Specific Purposes, this chapter identifies critical gaps in Korean ESP research and practice. Findings highlight the predominance of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) over English for Occupational Purposes (EOP), with notable deficiencies in addressing specific professional contexts such as law, medicine, and business. Additionally, this chapter underscores the importance of needs analysis, curriculum development, and collaboration between English educators and domain experts to tailor ESP instruction effectively. The integration of corpus-based methodologies, genre analysis, and innovative pedagogical frameworks is proposed to address these challenges. Ultimately, this chapter advocates for a more focused and practical approach to ESP in Korean ELT, aligning educational practices with the evolving global communication needs of students and professionals.