VIETTESOL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2025

English for Specific Purposes has been taught for a long time in most institutes everywhere. ESP by definition is language learning focusing on issues of language pertaining to a particular aspect of human life (Wright, 1992:3). ESP is the method of teaching and learning English for school subjects specializing in certain purposes of education and occupation. Teaching ESP should cover the language 'repertoire' aiming at each particular aspect learners are expected to master to apply in their practical work afterwards. Regarding the learner-centered teaching approach, the methodology of teaching ESP relies on learners’ specific needs (Kennedy and Bolitho (1984:3)). It is therefore essential to identify students’ needs to develop ESP materials that are useful and effective. In this study, the researcher focuses on investigating difficulties that Business-English students at National Economics University encounter while learning ESP courses. These difficulties are identified in terms of their English language ability, the subject content topics, terminologies, collocations and their ability to discuss professional topics. Respondents of this study are 60 students randomly selected from third year Business English-majored students. The research made use of an in-depth desk research along with a survey questionnaire. The research findings have revealed some major achievements, it is concluded that ESP courses in general meet students’ learning needs. However, there still exist difficulties regarding students’ English language ability, professional collocations, terminologies and subject matters. Recommendations are also made to help teachers combine both linguistic aspects and subject content in teaching ESP courses to deal with the problems effectively.