| The Function of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Teaching ESP in Geography |
| کد مقاله : 1049-ELTCONF7. (R1) |
| نویسندگان |
|
Alireza Daviran * Associate Professor Department of Geography Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran, P.O. Box 14665-889. |
| چکیده مقاله |
| Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in fields such as geography is not limited to learning vocabulary and grammar; rather, it aims to understand and apply language within the real context of geographical sciences. Traditional methods based on translation and rote memorization fail to meet the communicative and analytical needs of students in this discipline. This study investigates the role and function of an instructional model based on Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in teaching ESP in geography. The research employs a theoretical content analysis with an adaptive approach, in which extensive theoretical literature was collected and aligned with the study’s main focus. The findings indicate that using FGDs in ESP geography provides an innovative and effective approach that transforms learning from a passive, memorization-based process into an active and meaningful experience. By creating an interactive and problem-oriented environment, FGDs enable students to apply language within authentic geographical contexts and achieve a deeper understanding of spatial concepts and academic vocabulary through communication, exploration, and idea exchange. Moreover, integrating collaborative, experiential, and interactionist learning theories with this approach demonstrates that FGDs can enhance students’ critical thinking, scientific literacy, and intercultural communication skills. Consequently, ESP instruction in geography transcends mere language teaching and becomes a powerful tool for reasoning, analysis, and active participation in real-world academic and professional contexts. |
| کلیدواژه ها |
| Group Exploration, ESP, Geography, FGD, Functional Adaptation |
| وضعیت: پذیرفته شده مشروط برای ارائه به صورت پوستر |