ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how theoretical and research perspectives on genre have influenced English for specific purposes (ESP) course design and how genre analysis can be used as a course-design tool. Genre is a very important conceptualisation in ESP thinking and course design. The chapter discusses the following prominent aspects of genre: background to genre, discourse communities, genre and needs analysis, genre networks, generic structure and application of genre to course design. Genres can be understood at the most basic level as types of text – for example, an academic journal article. These genres are constructed by the community in which they occur and are subject to change. Central to the conceptualisation of genre in J. Swales' view is therefore a consideration of the social community within which the genre occurs, which he refers to as a "discourse community". Genre can play an important part in course design. By including common genres from the students' target communicative situation.
