Incorporating Content Within English Language Courses (EAP, ESP)

As University English teachers, we often support departments - EAP, ESP, etc. Yet, when studying the curriculum documents, many departments present English as an integral part of their degree program - there is no explicit implication that what we do is merely a supportive role. Hence, I experimented with adjusting my approach to the English courses with my students: discuss students' degree program and how it pertains to English; and incorporate vocabulary and concepts from their degree programme. My research questions were: How did students respond to the integration? Or would they prefer to improve their English linguistically rather than academically? How do students view EAP/ ESP? What are their preferences and why? Do students value the English for their University studies, or would they rather have English that benefits them socially and in their long-term career? Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to answer the research questions and to test the hypothesis that students are generally motivated to learn English when they see a clear connection of the EAP/ESP courses to their degree and the content they learn in their programme. A few case studies were included to offer a broader discussion.