May 2009 Volume 5 Issue 1
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Foreword

Foreword to May 2009

Foreword 
Damian J. Rivers 
Associate Editor

Welcome to the spring 2009 edition of The Asian ESP Journal. In this edition it is our distinct pleasure to publish five selected articles addressing a diverse blend of pedagogically orientated teaching and learning issues. In addition, we are also pleased to publish a ‘Reply to’ paper and a book review. As the Asian ESP Journal continues to prosper thanks to the many rich and insightful submissions we receive, our editorial team also continues to expand. Phillipa Mungra and I have recently moved into the Associate Editor position whilst we are delighted to offer our warmest welcome to all of the new members joining our expanding editorial team in a variety of capacities.

The first paper featured in this edition comes from Michael Lessard-Clouston at Biola University in the US. Michael Lessard-Clouston’s paper discusses the implications for vocabulary learning through the analysis of technical definitions given in a series of Theology lectures at a graduate school in Canada. Using lecture transcriptions as a foundation, Lessard-Clouston provides a thorough quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data making links to both EAP and ESP teaching practice.

The second paper is by Yi-Ching Huang of the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Yi-Chang Huang examines the extent to which Taiwanese high-school educators view their English language study group as a form of staff development contributing to their professional growth and learning. Using a case-study approach Yi-Chang Huang gathers data from a variety of sources before presenting and discussing the concerns and challenges which the teachers reported facing.

Our third paper comes from Abul-Qasim Avand of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Abul-Qasim Avand presents a solid case for the use of the mother-tongue in the translation of ESP classroom materials and the affect which this has upon the reading comprehension of Iranian ESP learners. Abul-Qasim Avand uses two groups of medical and nursing students across 24 hours of observed interaction to conclude that the mother tongue has a significant role to play in the development of reading comprehension abilities of ESP students.
The fourth paper featured in this edition is entitled ‘Content and language integration in tertiary education in China’ is written by Jianying Du of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Jianying Du describes the process of introducing a content based language programme at Wuhan Law College and makes a number of general observations in relation to the viability of their widespread implementation throughout China.

Our fifth research paper is from Tong Thi My Lien of the University of Language and International Studies, Vietnam National University. Through an attitudinal analysis Tong Thi My Lien focuses on the process of students preparing for, and undertaking ESP presentations. Specifically, the author addresses the various challenges which students face in terms of accessing relevant materials, selecting presentation forms and memorizing presentation content.

In our ‘Reply to’ article, Ahmad Sabouri Kashani of the University of Tehran, College of Medical Sciences, Iran presents a rebuttal to Seyyed-Abdolhamid Mirhosseini’s April 2007 article ‘Real Flowers or Plastic Flowers in Learning Medical English: A Reply to Kashani, Soheili, and Hatmi’.

Finally, closing out this issue is a book review from Seyed Vahid Aryadoust at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore who reviews a new Routledge book entitled, ‘Building a validity argument for the test of English as a foreign language’ edited by Chapelle, Enright and Jamieson (2008). Seyed Vahid Aryadoust provides a concise and informative review of this book which should be of interest to many within the wider TEFL field.

On behalf of the entire Asian ESP Journal team we hope you will enjoy reading these seven contributions to the spring edition of Asian ESP Journal. We look forward to your own contributions in this coming year. On a final note, the Asian ESP Journal in collaboration with Chongqing University in China will host their first conference entitled ESP in Asia on May 22nd to 24th. We look forward to your support in this event.

Damian J. Rivers 
Associate Editor 
Asian ESP Journal

May 2009
Volume 5 Issue12
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Foreword by Damian J. Rivers
1. Michael Lessard-Clouston. Definitions in Theology Lectures: Implications for Vocabulary Learning
2. Yi-Ching Huang. A Case Study of Teacher’s English Learning
3. Abul-Qasim Avand. Using Translation and Reading Comprehension of ESP Learners
4. Jianying Du, Huazhong. Content and Language in Tertiary Education in China: A Case Study in Wuhan Law
5. Tong Thi My Lien. Assessing the Perceptions and Difficulties of Students at COT, VNU in Making ESP Presentations
6. Ahmad Sabouri Kashani. Freire’s Bottom-Up Bridges Student-Centeredness: A Rebuttal to Seyyed-Abdolhamid Mirhossein
7. Seyed Vahid Aryadoust. Building a Validity Argument for the Test of English as a Foreign Language