Letter from the Chair
Jennifer Roberts, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Greetings ESP-IS Community,
We are excited to gather in just a few weeks at the TESOL Convention in Long Beach, California, USA! Our English for Specific Purposes Interest Section (ESP-IS) will be well-represented, with our Academic and Intersection Sessions, Open Meeting, and other ESP-focused presentations.
Intersection Sessions
This year, we’ll be participating in two Intersection Sessions!
ESP Program Administration: Unique Challenges and Innovative Solutions (ESP as Primary; Program Administration as Secondary)
- In this session, innovative and creative solutions to complex challenges in ESP program administration will be discussed. Presenters will share case studies in developing and implementing ESP programs from an administrative perspective, including syllabi and policies, curriculum design and delivery, assessment, and teacher training.
- Day and Time: Wednesday, March 19, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM PT
Innovative CALL Strategies for Enhancing ESP Instruction in Professional and Academic Contexts (CALL as Primary; ESP as Secondary)
- This panel presentation explores cutting-edge strategies for integrating computer-assisted language learning (CALL) into ESP instruction, focusing on professional and academic contexts. Expert panelists share insights, practical examples, and case studies on how technology can enhance ESP teaching and learning.
- Day and Time: Friday, March 21, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM PT
Academic Session
Addressing the Demands of Industry 4.0 in ESP Practice
- The fourth industrial revolution demands new skills necessary for students to thrive in their future careers. In this session, the presenters explore how education can meet these demands through recognizing the importance of new skills, embracing technology, and addressing relevant topics.
- Day and Time: Thursday, March 20, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM PT
Open Meeting
We invite you to join us for our annual open meeting during the Convention. This is an informal opportunity to meet more members of the Interest Section. Our Open Meeting is always my favorite event at TESOL, so I especially hope to see you there!
- Day and Time: Thursday, March 20, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PT
Networking Lounge
If you can’t make it to the Open Meeting, the ESP Interest Section will be at the TESOL Networking Lounge in the Exhibit Hall to share more about the benefits of joining our Interest Section and encourage you to get involved!
- Day and Time: Thursday, March 20, 4:30 – 5:30 PM PT
ESP-Focused Presentations
Larger Vision and Agendas to Professionalize English for Occupational Purposes
Immediately following our Open Meeting, let’s stay together and attend long-time ESP-IS member and EOP champion Anne Lomperis’ presentation!
- This presentation identifies three broad agendas that represent a larger vision for professionalizing English for occupational purposes (EOP): (1) needs assessment for economic development, corporate return on investment, tools for industry collaboration; (2) greater integration with industry regulations and professional associations; (3) professional development for certification and program accreditation; (4) industry and EOP content training.
- Day and Time: Thursday, March 20, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM PT
Industry Demands, Workforce English, Innovative Technology: Training NextGen Aviation Mechanics
After learning from Anne on Thursday, we can hear from her again, this time in collaboration with aviation maintenance engineer Denis Mason.
- Addressing pandemic-induced global labor shortages in aviation requires wide recruitment of non-English-speaking populations, including NextGen mechanics. Principles are presented for systematic collaboration among aviation engineer, specialist in English for aviation maintenance technicians, and digital twin media-virtual reality designer. The wider application to other industry demands is explored.
- Day and Time: Friday, March 21, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Rounding out my (second) year as Chair of the ESP-IS, I would like to say that it has been my honor to serve in this position for such an outstanding and important Interest Section. I look forward to continuing to work with our community in future years, learning from and finding ways to collaborate with all of you.
Hope to see you at the Convention!
Jennifer
Chair, ESP-IS
Jennifer is the Program Coordinator for the Department of Aviation English in the College of Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, where she works to develop and deliver Aviation English training programs. Her interests include the pedagogical applications of corpus linguistics, language policy and planning, and curriculum development in English for specific purposes settings.