3. What is the fundamental focus of ESP, beginning with the learner and their requirements?

The fundamental focus of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) begins with the learner and their requirements. Here are the steps to understand this:

1. Learner-Centric: ESP is primarily learner-centric. It starts with understanding who the learners are, what their backgrounds are, and what they aim to achieve. This could be learning English for a specific profession like medicine, law, or tourism, or for academic purposes in a specific field of study.

2. Needs Analysis: The next step is to conduct a needs analysis. This involves identifying the specific language skills the learners need to develop, the language tasks they need to perform, and the language tools they need to master. This could include specific vocabulary, grammar structures, or discourse practices.

3. Course Design: Based on the needs analysis, an ESP course is designed to meet the specific requirements of the learners. This could involve selecting appropriate materials, designing relevant activities, and setting achievable goals.

4. Implementation: The ESP course is then implemented, with ongoing assessment to ensure that the learners are making progress towards their goals.

5. Evaluation: Finally, the effectiveness of the ESP course is evaluated, with feedback from the learners used to make any necessary adjustments.

In summary, the fundamental focus of ESP is to provide a tailored English learning experience that meets the specific needs of the learners.