Abstract
Globalization in the twenty-first century has a more demanding requirement for graduates with a practical ability to use English in academic research or professional work. Many colleges and universities have conducted ESP (English for Specific Purposes) teaching along with EGP (English for General Purposes) teaching. However, we are facing the problem of the instability of ESP teachers (Liu, 2010). This study is designed to investigate the current state of ESP instruction development in a local university. A qualitative survey design through semi-structured interviews based on a literature review was used as the primary instrument. Altogether 23 teachers, 76 students, and 12 companies responded to this study about their opinions and attitudes toward ESP and other related issues. The research findings highlight the immediate need for ESP teaching development by revealing that students and the social community (mainly companies) have high expectations for ESP courses. At the same time, the university and teachers are not yet prepared. Factors impeding ESP teaching development in local application-oriented universities are mainly from three parts: teachers, students, and universities. For example, the college environment and the living conditions of ESP teachers, the curriculum burden and the thinking pattern, and the lack of students' foundation and learning motivation.
