(1. College of Education, Boise State University, USA;

2. Retired Managing Director, Educational Pathways, Round Rock, Texas, USA)

multi-decade English for Occupational or Professional Purposes (EOP/EPP) literature, including content based instruction/content and language integrated learning (CBI/CLIL)) aspects, to propose that the ideas expressed in our earlier publications have potential for expansion and further development into a series of specifically crafted, problem-based English for Specific Purposes (ESP) curricula, tailored to the professional vocabularies of discrete post-baccalaureate programs and disciplines in a problem/project-based, content focused learning system. The paper will explore use of problem-based learning (PBL) in a multi-cultural STEM ESP situation. It is being developed with the purpose and objectives of including an overview of the key strategies for success in language acquisition focusing on ESP, and outlining exemplar programs that can actively engage learners in defined subject-matter contexts. This topic will be approached utilizing examples appropriate for a variety of cultures and ESP content areas including engineering, technology and the sciences. We believe the methods described below, however, have equal value in other disciplines with unique English language components, such as medicine, international law, finance and even the fine arts, each of which have a very specific and unique vocabulary and usage pattern. This may be true of general conversation or reading in a specific language, it cannot be held necessarily true within the context of professional spoken and written communication within STEM disciplines, as well as those such as law, medicine, business, or even artistic or aesthetic fields, which have extensive disciplinary specific vocabularies. A professionally focused, contextual, problem/project-based ESP approach may serve to build the subject matter specific English language proficiency that is sought by post-baccalaureate students entering professional vocational disciplines.

Key words: ESL learning, STEM, PBL