COMMUNICATIVE ESP TEACHING IN ARMENIA AND LEARNER NEEDS IN CONTEXT

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46991/FLSP.2026.26.134

Keywords:

ESP, communicative language teaching, experiential learning, needs analysis, assessment

Abstract

The paper examines communicative and experiential teaching practices in the ESP context at two universities in Armenia. It highlights both the advantages of this methodology and the cultural peculiarities that pose challenges to achieving the desired learning outcomes, as well as proposes practical strategies for addressing these challenges. Analysing prior studies in ESP, constructivism, and experiential learning and drawing on classroom-based evidence, the paper explores the practical implementation of these theoretical models in real teaching contexts. To help reconsider the existing ESP practices, the study also conducts a student needs analysis.

The study focuses on three major questions: 1) How do ESP students benefit from communicative and experiential learning? 2) What insights does the needs survey offer? 3) How can identified learner needs be translated into communicative and experiential ESP classroom practices in the Armenian context?

Overall, the survey results support classroom observations and academic discussions, pointing to topical issues and areas of concern in ESP teaching in the Armenian higher education context.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Allen, A. (2022). An Introduction to Constructivism: Its Theoretical Roots and Impact on Contemporary Education. Journal of Learning Design and Leadership, 1(1), pp. 1-11. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://ldljournal.web.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Andrew-Allen-Constructivism_JLDL_Vol1Issue1September2022.pdf

2. Berglund, A., Heintz, F. Integrating Soft Skills into Engineering Education for Increased Student Throughput and More Professional Engineers. Paper presented at the conference “Pedagogiska Inspirations konferens”, Linköping University, Sweden, December 17. Accessed 12 January, 2026 at https://www.lth.se/fileadmin/lth/genombrottet/konferens2014/11_Berglund_Heintz.pdf

3. Cohen, L., Manion, L., Morrison, K. (2004). A Guide to Teaching Practice (5th ed.). RoutledgeFalmer.

4. Gvelesiani, I. (2023). Teaching ESP – New Strategies and Approaches. Journal of Research in Higher Education, 7(1), pp. 25-39. DOI: 10.24193/JRHE.2023.1.2. Accessed 12 January, 2026 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371776517_Teaching_ESP_New_Strategies_and_Approaches

5. Karapetyan, M. (2020). Teaching Public Speaking Skills Online to ESP Students. Foreign Languages in Higher Education, 2(29), pp. 76-86.

6. Karapetyan, M., Kharatyan M. (2024). The Role of Foreign Language Proficiency in Recruitment in the Armenian Job Market. Foreign Languages in Higher Education, Vol. 28, 2(37), pp. 154-174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46991/FLHE.2024.28.2.154

7. Knutson, S. (2003). Experiential Learning in Second-Language Classrooms. TESL Canada Journal, 20 (2), pp. 52-64. DOI: 10.18806/tesl.v20i2.948. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265063997_Experiential_Learning_in_Second-Language_Classrooms

8. Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

9. Kolb A.Y., Kolb D. A., Passarelli, A., Sharma, G. (2014). On Becoming an Experiential Educator: The Educator Role Profile. Simulation & Gaming, 45(2), pp. 204-234. DOI: 10.1177/1046878114534383. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270671768_On_Becoming_an_Experiential_Educator_The_Educator_Role_Profile

10. Kolb A.Y., Kolb D. A. (2017). Experiential Learning Theory as a Guide for Experiential Educators in Higher Education. ELTHE: A Journal for Engaged Educators 1(1), pp.7-44. Accessed 15 January, 2026 at https://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/cetl/Experiential%20Learning%20Theory%20as%20a%20guide%20for%20experiential%20educators%20in%20higher%20education.pdf

11. Lavrysh, Y. (2016). Sift Skills Acquisition through ESP Classes at Technical University. The Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 4(3), pp. 517-525. DOI: 10.22190/JTESAP1603517L. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://espeap.junis.ni.ac.rs/index.php/espeap/article/view/370

12. Lewis, C.C., Moss, D., Van Duzer, C. (1998). Project-based Learning for Adult English Language Learners. ERIC Digest: National Center for ESL Literacy Education. Accessed 13 September, 2000 at http://www.cal.org/nde/digests/ProjBase.htm

13. Marlowe, B., Page, M. (2005). Creating and Sustaining the Constructivist Classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

14. Nunan, D. (1995). Closing the gap between learning and instruction. TESOL Quarterly, 29, pp. 133-157.

15. Parks, S. (2000). Same Task, Different Activities: Issues of Investment, Identity, and Use of Strategy. TESL Canada Journal 17(2), pp. 64-88.

16. Rogers, C. (1969). Freedom to Learn. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.

17. Stan, R. S. (2013). English for Specific Purposes in Career Opportunities. Proceedings of the Fourth. International Conference “Research People and Actual Tasks on Multidisciplinary Sciences”, pp. 215-219. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20173295838

18. Spruck-Wrigley, H. (1998). Knowledge in action: The promise of project-based learning. Focus on Basics, 2(1-4), pp. 13-18.

19. Stem, H.H. (1990). Analysis and Experience as Variables in Second Language Pedagogy. In B. Harley, P. Allen, J. Cummins, & M. Swain (Eds.), The development of second language proficiency, pp. 93-109. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

20. Wilhelm, K.H. (1999). Collaborative dos and don’ts. TESOL Journal, 8, pp. 14-19.

21. Yaman, I. (2017). Constructivism and Its Contributions to the Current English Language Teaching Practices. Proceedings of the Ninth. International Congress of Educational Research, pp. 1349-1354. Accessed 11 January, 2026 at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322078459_

CONSTRUCTIVISM_AND_ITS_CONTRIBUTIONS_TO_THE_CURRENT_ENGLISH_LANGUAGE_TEACHING_PRACTICES

Downloads

Published

2026-07-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Karapetyan, M. (2026). COMMUNICATIVE ESP TEACHING IN ARMENIA AND LEARNER NEEDS IN CONTEXT. Foreign Languages for Special Purposes, 26, 134-168. https://doi.org/10.46991/FLSP.2026.26.134