Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a contemporary and comprehensive view of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It describes the history of ESP and discusses how it is situated within English Language Teaching. The book explains the theories and practices that form the basis of the four key 'pillars' of ESP. It also explains how ESP can be applied in real-world settings. The book presents a balanced view of ESP showing how it is implemented in both academic and workplace contexts. Researchers in the field of ESP hold many different views that sometimes lead to misunderstandings and controversies. The book also presents some suggestions for small- and/or large-scale research projects related to the topic that are likely to be of interest to research scholars, learners, teachers, and ESP program administrators.