A STUDY OF ENGLISH FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES PROGRAMS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT (ESL, VOCATIONAL)

Adults participating in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs do so for a variety of reasons. Attempting to address the varied linguistic and content needs of adult learners participating in ESL programs is a demanding task for program developers. As a result, many ESL programs have dealt with the linguistic needs of the adult ESL learner with little consideration to the specific content needs. This study is an investigation of adult ESL programs specifically designed to address the needs of unique groups. The general focus of the study was to discover and describe the characteristics of language training programs being conducted by the private sector which operate as English for Special Purposes (ESP) programs.;The results of the study can be summarized in four areas of concern for program designers. The interviews suggest the following as significant aspects of ESP programs: analyzing learner needs; developing curricula and material focusing on communicative competence; establishing learner-centered programs; and re-considering the traditional role of the language instructor and adult language learner.;This study is a comparative analysis of ESP programs being sponsored by business and industry for professional level employees. The research design employed a qualitative methodology. Interviews of representatives of six companies in the New York metropolitan area were conducted. A total of thirteen administrators and twenty-four instructors were included. The six ESP programs are compared for the purpose of identifying commonalities of factors that facilitate and/or impede progress in program design and development.