Esp vocabulary Teaching at the Vocational Secondary School of Furniture Industry

1. Theoretical part

1. 
   Characteristics of the target group
   

The target group discussed in this thesis includes adoloscent vocational students between 15 and 20. It is not easy to learn English in this problematic age. Some students have negative attitudes to studying theoretical subjects at all. They may suppose a foreign language not to be necessary for their future career. They often argue that they will not need to use English language as cabinet makers or carpenters. Moreover, there is a lack of English textbooks for vocational schools. The materials should be adequate to their needs and ability to acquire the language.

This thesis is focused on vocational students with the lack of motivation and some learning difficulties with acquiring English. There is an increasing amount of students with different disabilities nowadays, e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia, mental problems or psychological barriers, which can negatively influence the process of learning. To avoid these factors it is necessary to choose the efficient teaching strategy for learners, taking into consideration various aspects resulting from their specific needs. One of the ways is incorporation of the special terminology, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), into the normal English lessons. It is an excellent way for reinforcing vocabulary in connection with practice of students at the school workshops, supporting the naturalness of learning English by enriching the conditions in which the students live, learn and work. This type of purposeful learning closely connected with the practical work can encourage their interest in English. “ESP must be seen as an approach not as a product. ESP, then, is an approach to language teaching in which all decisions as to content and method are based on the learner’s reason for learning” (Hutchinson and Waters 19). On the other hand, it is necessary to realize that it is hard work to use additional teaching/learning materials in the normal lessons, and what is more at the technical secondary schools, where the learners struggle with the basics of English language. Because of population reduction, contemporary technical secondary schools concentrate the worst educated pupils from primary schools.