English for Specific Purposes – also known as ESP – is a variety of English lesson you may teach as a TEFL teacher.
The phrase ‘specific purposes’ in ESP relates to the particular ‘subject matter’ for which English is required.
For instance, if a class of businessmen requires English, the specific purpose would be English for business purposes.
If it’s a class of aircraft technicians, the specific purpose would be English for ‘aeronautical engineering’ purposes, etc.
Unlike general EFL students, ESP students are taught English within a specialized context that is already known to the ESP students, usually the students’ profession.
Consequently, teaching must be geared to language usage that is applicable to the ESP students’ particular profession and which can be used practically for the relevant specific purpose.
ESP teaching can be particularly appealing to TEFL teachers who had previously worked in the same profession as the ESP students. They know how to teach basic English, and they would know – because of experience – what would need to be taught for the purposes of the particular profession.
Note: It is not necessary to be a professional in the field to teach ESP.
TEFL teachers know how to prepare lessons, and there are always resources available to you related to whichever specific field of ESP you are teaching.
Read more: What Is English For Specific Purposes And How Do I Teach It?