ICT-SUPPORTED STUDENTS’ INDEPENDENT WORK IN THE ESP CONTEXT - THE NEW REALITY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION

Oct 15, 2026

Empirical research investigates university students’ readiness to manage independent work within the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course when Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are available. A mixed-methods approach uses questionnaires conducted in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years at Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, covering pre-pandemic blended learning and COVID-19 webucation. Findings show near-equal pandemic-related learning challenges and identify disadvantages such as communication vacuum, difficulties choosing materials, and limited self-discipline, confirming the need for structured guidance. A SWOT analysis links ICT opportunities and threats to strengths and weaknesses of providing support for independent ESP study.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Independent work in ESP at tertiary level

Role of ICTs and lecturer support

Functions of independent work in tertiary education

Methodology and research design

Mixed methods and questionnaire periods

Pre-pandemic blended learning and pandemic webucation

Findings and discussion

Challenges in learning English online

Need for guidance for independent work

SWOT analysis of ICT use in ESP independent work

DOI: 10.20535/2410-8286 .223286 ICT-SUPPORTED STUDENTS’ INDEPENDENT WORK IN THE ESP CONTEXT: THE NEW REALITY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION8 Natalia Shumeiko, Alla Nypadymka Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, Kyiv, Ukraine [natalia1shumeiko@gmail.com](natalia1shumeiko@gmail.com) The article aims at conducting empirical research of university students’ readiness to handle independent work while studying the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course, subject to the availability of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) . In order to accomplish the objective of the article, a mixed methods research was applied. According to the research methodology, the questionnaires were conducted during the first semester of the academic year 2019/20 and then in the first semester of the academic year 2020/21 at the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics. The investigation covered the period before the outset of the pandemic when a blended learning approach included instructor-led classroom training and e-learning elements; and then during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine when webucation was in line with the priorities of the training process. The participants of the study were first-year and second-year students of non-linguistic specialities. The scientific research reflected that teaching ESP was focused on enhancing foreign language learning in the particular field of study such as IT, law, trade, marketing, management or economics, to equip students with the oral and written comprehension and speaking skills that they would need to leverage partnerships with international interlocutors in the business community. The obtained results confirmed the high value of theresources available online for studying ESP as an academic discipline in university-level curricula. The analysis of data showed that during the pandemic almost equal percentages of the respondents faced the challenges that accompanied the process of learning English online. Students noted all four proposed options that characterised the disadvantages of completing the assignments independently, namely the communication vacuum, difficulties in choosing supplemental instructional materials, as well as a lack of self-discipline and control. The outcome confirmed the need to assist students’ independent work. To meet that demand, the authors carried out a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis related to the use of ICTs within the organising framework of students’ independent work while teaching ESP during a pandemic. It has been concluded that the opportunities and threats, as well as the strengths and weaknesses, identified through the SWOT analysis, characterise the advantages, drawbacks and peculiarities that emerge in the process of providing guidance for students’ independent work in the study of ESP, integrating them into a coherent whole. Keywords: information and communication technology; webucation; English for Specific Purposes; independent work; tertiary education; the coronavirus pandemic. Introduction Traditionally students’ independent work with the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) curriculum at the tertiary level is an integrated part of university studies. Today, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the organisation of independent work (IW) is considered to be challenging for teachers, as their students face virtually insurmountable obstacles that need both the student’s and the teacher’s cooperation. Nowadays, the significance of IW stems from the need to hold teaching of foreign languages at a practical level so that university students can study independently solely by way of distance tutoring and learning through online resources while enabling them to study the material at their own pace. This can only be achieved through close cooperation between the student and the teacher. One way to do this is to provide teacher-led coaching and mentoring at the time of online classroom per

FAQs

What is the main aim of the research on ESP independent work?

The study examines university students’ readiness to handle independent work in the ESP course when ICTs are available, including how this changes under pandemic conditions.

How was the study conducted, and when were questionnaires administered?

A mixed-methods design used questionnaires in the first semester of 2019/20 and again in the first semester of 2020/21 at Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics.

What challenges did students report during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Students faced disadvantages tied to independent assignment work, including a communication vacuum, difficulties selecting supplemental materials, and a lack of self-discipline and control.

Oct 15, 2026

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