Challenges of a non English education graduate in teaching ESP: A case study in State University of Surabaya

Abstract

Recently, ESP has been receiving even greater interest due to the effects of globalization within industry and academia, particularly in Asia. In industrial settings, workers increasingly need strong English skills to succeed in their jobs (Anthony, 2015, p.2).  Accordingly, this paper aims at describing the ESP learning process in Non-English Departments at State University of Surabaya (UNESA). This is a case study within the context of the university’s Department of Instructional Technology, School of Educational Sciences. The choice of the case study method is due to its uniqueness because the ESP lecturer at this context does not have an English Language educational background. In depth interview, document analysis, questionnaires, and teaching material evaluation are conducted to collect the details of description about the ESP learning process in the selected context. The research reveals that from the policy perspective, the purpose of the ESP of the university is to prepare the students to complete the English proficiency test designed by the university language center. The topics in the locally designed teaching material are not specifically related to the instructional technology academic discipline. They are about daily issues related to university students’ life. The lecturer utilizes Edmodo, an internet based social media like for assessing students’ performance through quiz and assignments. The various level of students’ proficiency is one of the constraints faced by lecturer. A constructivist approach is applied by the lecturer by providing students opportunities to explore the English language in a communicative use. At the end of semester, majority of the students show an increase in confidence in using English for communicative use.