State‐of‐the‐art review

This review article attempts to tackle the fundamental questions in ESP practice and will also provide a methodological framework for designing and implementing ESP courses. In recent times, the ESP approach has cogently exerted its influence on language teaching practice around the world, especially in the EFL setting. This article captures the development of the ESP approach and specifically examines how ESP is differentiated from general English teaching. The ESP approach is centered on the premise that learners’ needs and wants are fully addressed. A typical ESP course incorporates authentic materials, specialized linguistic resources and communicative training. ESP course development and implementation is a spiraling, cyclical progression, which is based on a set of essential curricular procedures. This article offers a concise overview of the principles and practices of the ESP approach while focusing particularly on the pedagogy.