Current ESP Situation and Future Outlook: Meeting the Multi-Faceted Aspects of EMI in Algeria

Abstract

Abstract: This current case study endeavors to diagnose the ESP education in four departments from the faculty of Economics, Business, and Management Studies, at the University of Tlemcen. It also aims to identify ESP teachers’ perceptions towards the use of EMI as a newly implemented language policy and to provide their vision on how to address the multi-faceted aspects of this process. Therefore, 10 ESP practitioners were interviewed. Results revealed that the ESP courses offered to the learners do not significantly align with their socioeconomic needs because of the educational and technological challenges faced by the language teachers. It was also found that they were for the use of EMI for its twofold purposes which are content and language learning. However, other issues were identified as obstacles such as the students and content teachers’ limited linguistic ability and their resistance to using English. It has been thus recommended to set priorities and procedures, to allocate roles and responsibilities to learners, subject-specialists, language trainers, policymakers, curriculum developers, and materials providers, and to coordinate their efforts, provide intensive and extensive trainings. Finally, it has been also suggested to develop their learners’ 21st century skills, global business communication, and intercultural competence. Keywords: Current Situation, EMI, ESP, Future outlook, Muti-facet aspects