THE CHALLENGES OF LEARNING ESP FOR THE FIRST YEAR STUDENTS AT TUMP

Abstract

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has become an indispensable part of medical and
pharmaceutical education worldwide, enabling students and professionals to access global medical
knowledge, participate in international research, and communicate effectively in diverse healthcare
settings. At Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy (TUMP), ESP is a core component of
the curriculum for firstyear students, designed to equip them with the language skills necessary for their
academic and professional careers. However, despite its importance, many students face significant
challenges in mastering ESP due to its specialized vocabulary, complex grammatical structures, and the
integration of medical knowledge with language learning.
This study investigates the difficulties encountered by firstyear students at TUMP in learning English for
medical purposes, focusing on their attitudes, learning strategies, and the effectiveness of current teaching
methods. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and classroom observations, involving 100
first year students from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmacy during the academic year
2023-2024. The findings reveal that students struggle with technical terminology, lack motivation due to
the perceived difficulty of the subject, and face limited opportunities for practical application. Based on
these results, the study proposes several recommendations, including the integration of multimedia tools,
interactive activities, and contextbased learning, to enhance students’ engagement and proficiency in ESP.