English for Specific Purposes (Tom Hutchinson and Alan Waters) mini review

This book is subtitled ‘A learner-centred approach’, and not only provides the most thorough review available of the particular approach need for ESP and Business students (sometimes called the ‘client approach’), but provides its own variation on it, which puts how the students learn on an equal footing with the skills and language they need.

After a definition of what makes ESP different from general English, the heart of the book deals with needs analysis and other parts of course design. It does this so systematically that I would recommend it for any teacher tackling or writing about these things, even those with ‘General English’ classes. It is best read through from the beginning in order to get a full grasp on the authors’ approach, but it is perfectly possible to dip into for particular points, and is full of tables and illustrations that are useful for teacher training, and occasionally for use in class.