Charting Specific Paths: A Decade of English for Specific Purposes Research (2015-2024)

Abstract

Research on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has grown rapidly over the last decade, yet systematic mapping of its intellectual structure, thematic patterns, and global contributions remains limited. Despite the proliferation of studies on curriculum design, needs analysis, genre pedagogy, and technology-enhanced learning, there is still no consolidated overview that captures how ESP scholarship has evolved and where it is heading. To address this gap, this study applies bibliometric analysis to 381 publications on ESP indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2015 and 2024. Performance analysis was employed to identify the most influential authors, journals, institutions, and countries; co-citation mapping was conducted to uncover foundational works and theoretical orientations; and keyword co-occurrence analysis was used to reveal emerging themes and research priorities. The findings indicate that five co-citation clusters – genre-based theory, curriculum design, data-driven instruction, English Medium Instruction (EMI) integration, and learner motivation – constitute the intellectual foundations of ESP. Meanwhile, co-occurrence analysis identifies five thematic clusters centered on learner-centered pedagogy, corpus-informed vocabulary learning, business and higher education contexts, digital integration, and needs-based instructional design. These results highlight the field’s transition from traditional linguistic concerns toward affective learner dimensions, technology-mediated learning, and transdisciplinary applications. By systematically mapping the ESP research ecosystem, this study contributes an evidence-based overview that benefits scholars, educators, and policymakers. It emphasizes ESP’s increasing institutionalization in higher education, its role in workforce preparation, and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), thereby offering a roadmap for future research and practice.