Algerian ESP Issue: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract: The widespread use of the English language as an international means of communication is in its continual growth. This fact is reflected in different fields and in a variety of ways, notably its inclusion in the formal educational systems all over the world, and Algeria is no exception. The increasing importance resulted in the expansion of one particular aspect namely English for specific purposes (ESP) which has grown to become one of the most prominent areas of English as a foreign language, (EFL) teaching today. Being aware of the importance of English in all domains of study and research, the Algerian Higher Education Ministry has included its teaching in higher education institutions nationwide. Hence, the development of ESP is reflected in the increasing number of universities offering different specialties. Similarly, Algerian curriculum developers incorporated EFL to be taught in the Algerian national educational context. Thus, this paper is an attempt to conduct a brief exploration of the teaching of EFL and ESP in the Algerian context. It also, attempts to discuss the Algerian ESP issue from the perspective of EFL practitioners who moved to teach English to students of higher education. Being one of them and challenged by many hindrances; the researcher tried to add to the ESP course, this ‘stand-alone unit’ in the Algerian higher education by recommending some suggestions so as to reach more successful results. Keywords: EFL, ESP, ELT, Syllabus design, Team teaching.