Can non-experts teach ESP? Part 1: Stereotypes

This issue keeps coming up again and again in various groups I belong to. Basically, ESP teachers seem to come from two directions: subject specialists who become ELT teachers; and ELT teachers who start teaching a particular specialisation. Needless to say, there’s a lot of potential for conflict between the two camps.

There’s too much to say on this issue for a single posting – and I expect to come back to it again and again, which is why I’ve called this posting ‘Part 1’. I’ll start with some stereotypes.

Samantha Smug has got a law degree and thinks she knows everything about Legal English. She didn’t get a very good law degree, which is why she ended up as an English teacher. Her lessons are pretty dull – lots of explanations and translations, but at least she knows her stuff. She charges a lot for her lessons, and clients are happy to pay for her expertise.

Ken Cool, is currently working his way around the world, using income from ELT to support his life as a surfer. One of his classes is with a group of lawyers, but they rarely touch on the subject of law. His lessons are very touchy-feely – lots of jazz chants, self-expression and kinaesthetic group dynamics. He's discovered a new technique is called dogme, which he used to call ‘winging it when you’ve forgotten to plan’.

Well, obviously those are not real people, but too often the debate about who has the right to teach ESP focuses on stereotypes rather than the reality. I’ve seen some pretty fiery debates arguing that it’s a disgrace and an insult to students to try to teach them (and charge good money for it) without having a solid knowledge of their subject. From the other side, one of the best put-downs I’ve heard is “What sort of teacher moves into ESP? Usually one of the most intelligent, informed and experienced. What sort of lawyer becomes an English teacher? One who couldn’t get a job as a lawyer."

Needless to say, I don't believe in either of these stereotypes.

My own view is that both groups of teachers can and should learn a lot from each other. I think there's room within the world of ESP for both. I think there are good teachers and less good teachers, and those categories cut right across the expert/non-expert divide. But I know there are plenty who would disagree with me. That's why I’ve created what I hope will turn into a debate.

I’ll return to this subject soon with some practical ideas for both camps. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your anecdotes and your views – however fiery. Leave a comment or write me an email.

PS For a great introduction to dogme (which is not actually the same as winging it), see this posting on Kalinago English.