Abstract:

The paper focuses on specific aspects of course design in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) for students of technically oriented fields at the University of Žilina, Slovakia. It introduces a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at mapping multifaceted influences on student motivation and performance. Through its systematic deployment, educators gain insights into the dynamic interplay of motivational drivers, enabling them to tailor instructional strategies that resonate with the unique learning preferences and aspirations of their students. Moreover, the paper presents an in-depth analysis of student needs within the innovative concept of Job Labs. This course design concept aims to prepare students for the needs of future jobs while integrating foreign language practice with the development of transversal skills. The most needed transversal skills for a particular study programme will be determined based on the data in the National Occupational Classification, graduate profiles and a comprehensive analysis by P. Horný and J. Ďurina - Transferable competences of graduates of Slovak universities (2016). In this way, the paper provides practical insights applicable to similarly focused courses in professional foreign language education within the university setting.

Keywords:

English for Specific Purposes, Job Labs, course design.