A Study of the Applicability of the ESP Approach to English Language Course Design at the Tertiary Level to Address Bangladeshi Learners’ Required Professional Needs

In Bangladesh, competence in English is considered indispensable for international communication, educational advancement, professional accomplishment and progress in every sphere of life. Accordingly, it is considered essential for Bangladeshi higher level learners to acquire sufficient competence in English to perform efficiently in their future work settings. Nonetheless, the current English language courses taught at the tertiary level are rarely geared to the future professional needs of the learners. Hence, the need to develop and implement specialized, more focused and learners’ professional needs-oriented English language courses should be explored and integrated in English language course design to ensure adequate and fruitful English education of the tertiary level Bangladeshi learners. This paper intended to investigate the applicability of the ESP Approach to English language course design at the tertiary level to meet Bangladeshi learners’ prospective professional needs. A mix-method approach has been used for this study. Findings of the study disclose the necessity of re-construction of the current Tertiary Level English Language courses and establish the need to incorporate the English Language needs of the learners for prospective professional purposes.