Using Authentic News Texts for Vocabulary Development in ESP

Abstract

The acquisition of domain-specific vocabulary is essential in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), where learners focus on language skills relevant to their professional fields. Traditional methods, like memorizing vocabulary lists, often lack real-world context. This paper examines the use of authentic news texts as a tool for vocabulary development in ESP, offering learners context-rich language directly related to their fields. By engaging with authentic articles, learners acquire technical and semi-technical vocabulary while gaining insights into professional discourse. The paper discusses the benefits of authentic materials, such as increased engagement, better retention, and familiarity with professional language, and outlines strategies for using news texts effectively in the ESP classroom. It concludes that authentic news texts are a valuable resource for enhancing vocabulary instruction and preparing learners for professional communication.