Abstract:

Frequently, the traditional concept of seminars at the Slovak universities comes across as a one-man show with a - to a great extend - inactive learner. These classes are usually dominated by direct instruction because it is assumed that there is a precondition of a fixed corpus of knowledge that the students are required to obtain. Account on this, students blindly accept and follow the information they are given. However, it is clearly seen that the education is perceived as one of the pivotal values for the future of the society. Accordingly, science, technology and the communication in foreign language are seen undeniably in every aspect of a daily life.

Based on the aforementioned facts, the teachers of ILL UNIZA decided to teach english for specific purposes (ESP) with inquiry-based learning activities incorporated in order to provoke the eagerness and wonder in the learner, which gives support to the “want to know more” feeling.

Moreover, these activities mentor independence of the students in a way of allowing them to become capable thinkers and learners.

Keywords:

Inquiry-based learning, english for specific purposes (ESP), higher education, language learning.