ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES (ESP) IN MEDICINE: NEEDS AND ANALYSIS

Abstract

English has become the cornerstone of communication in global healthcare, driving the necessity for specialized language education tailored to medical professionals and students. In this context, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in medicine has grown from a niche field into a vital branch of language teaching, rooted in the recognition that medical personnel require skills far beyond general proficiency. ESP in medicine responds specifically to communicative tasks and genres unique to healthcare, including patient interaction, reading research articles, writing medical documentation, participating in case discussions, presenting at conferences, and collaborating in multinational teams. The success of ESP programs targeting medical learners depends fundamentally on a rigorous needs analysis—a systematic process of identifying, understanding, and prioritizing the language needs of their intended audience. Without careful needs analysis, ESP courses risk being irrelevant or ineffective, failing to prepare learners for real-world demands faced in medical settings.