A Systematic Review of Professional Communication Skills in English for Specific Purposes in Vocational Education within the New Media Era.
- Shengjie Zeng , Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 56000 & School of International Education, Chengdu Aeronautic Polytechnic, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610100
- Christiantine Della , Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 56000.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The field of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has undergone substantial development to meet the specialised communication requirements of various professional sectors and support students in adapting to industrial diversification. The emergence of new media technologies, including digital platforms and social media, has created a growing need for ESP programmes to evolve and incorporate these digital tools into vocational education. This systematic literature review aims to synthesise existing research on the integration of new media into ESP programmes and examine its impact on vocational education and training. Purpose: To uphold the quality of education, this review seeks to offer a comprehensive analysis of the influence of new media tools on ESP instruction and the development of professional communication skills. It aims to identify both the strengths and limitations of existing practices, providing insights into their effectiveness and areas for improvement. Methodology: This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, adopting a systematic approach to analyse 90 research papers related to ESP and new media. Of these, 40 studies were selected based on their relevance and methodological rigour. The chosen papers were examined to evaluate the integration of new media into ESP curricula, its impact on student engagement and learning outcomes, and the effectiveness of various instructional strategies. Results: The findings underscore the necessity for a more targeted exploration of the long-term effects of new media tools and the formulation of best practices for their integration into industry-specific ESP programmes. Contribution: This review offers original insights into the integration of new media in ESP, identifying gaps in existing research and proposing recommendations for enhancing vocational education. It serves as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers, supporting the development of ESP programmes that align with the evolving demands of digital communication.