ESP/LSP COURSES IN THE ERA OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: POTENTIAL FOR FACILITATING THE INTERNATIONALISATION PROCESS

Abstract

In the increasingly interconnected global landscape, internationalising education has become a crucial focus for higher education institutions. Specifically, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses play a pivotal role in equipping students with specialized communication skills across various fields. Changes in the external environment have led to shifts in the internal landscape, particularly affecting the role of ESP teachers. Unfortunately, ESP/LSP courses, which enable university students not only to master the appropriate language register in simulated contexts but also to articulate and structure their ideas, collaborate effectively in team projects, engage in constructive discussions, and assess differences, are frequently overshadowed by other core disciplinary courses. These transformations in higher education also impact disciplinary teachers who are often compelled to deliver their subjects in English, sometimes without prior experience in doing so. Furthermore, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies presents a transformative potential to enhance the efficacy of ESP courses and accelerate the internationalization process. This paper explores the synergy between ESP courses and AI-driven educational tools in advancing internationalisation efforts.

The paper employs a review of existing literature, complemented by insights from ESP/CLIL experts and their findings from a brief survey on AI awareness among students and teachers at STU MTF.