Abstract:

Due to the main traits of society nowadays, among which the ubiquity of visual inputs and computerized information practices are two of the most consequential, the educational process in the case of HE (Higher Education) has significantly veered towards incorporating as many interactive teaching strategies as possible in order to adequately answer the students’ learning needs. In the case of ESP (English for Specific Purposes), these features have an accentuated applied perspective and primarily focus on efficiently combining specialized language acquisition and communicative skill development. As such, the current paper aims at minutely analyzing the advantages of inserting visual thinking strategies (VTS) as well as other visual teaching methods in the case of Landscaping and Horticulture students, by designing a variety of ESP activities targeting the promotion of students’ spoken interaction in specialization-related contexts. Thus, developing speaking skills and other complementary soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork are rendered as pivotal objectives. Besides revolving around using specific images connected to Landscaping and Horticulture in order to create educational frameworks meant to achieve the above-mentioned teaching aims in a creative and interactive manner, these exercises are also English-level adapted and oriented towards a better retention of technical and semi-technical vocabulary chunks. By constantly employing these activities throughout ESP classes, the students’ engagement is heightened while efficient language learning is fostered, both enhancing further professional community integration.

Keywords:

VTS, soft skills, contextualized communication, visual ESP activities.