Development of communicative competence in specific contexts: Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in fields such as Medicine, Business, and Technology

Resumen

This article delves into the critical role of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in specialized fields such as medicine, business, and technology. ESP is designed to provide students with the targeted linguistic skills necessary for effective communication within their particular professional environments. The paper explores various essential communicative competencies, including linguistic proficiency, sociolinguistic awareness, discourse management, and strategic communication skills. Additionally, it examines key pedagogical frameworks such as Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and student-centered learning approaches that facilitate the development of these competencies. The article also acknowledges the challenges involved in teaching ESP but emphasizes the potential benefits of integrating authentic materials and interactive technologies to enhance students' communicative abilities. Furthermore, it suggests that future research should focus on investigating innovative methodologies and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to enrich ESP programs, ensuring that they effectively prepare students for the demands of their future careers. By doing so, ESP programs can be better tailored to meet the needs and expectations of professional language learners belonging to various fields.