TITLE:
From Didactic Triangle to Pedagogical Pyramid in ESP: Responding to Labor-Market Needs
AUTHORS:
Afef Raddaoui
KEYWORDS:
English for Specific Purposes (ESP), Didactic Triangle, Teacher, Learner, Content, Industry-Driven Curriculum, Employability, Needs Analysis, Course Design, Teacher Training
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: The global labor market is rapidly evolving under the influence of technological innovation and globalization, prompting significant changes in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) pedagogy. Traditionally conceptualized through the didactic triangle of teacher, learner, and content, ESP now requires a closer alignment with industry needs. This paper advocates a reconceptualization of this model into a dynamic pyramid, positioning industry at the apex as the primary driver of employability skills. While the teacher, learner, and content remain essential components, their roles must be redefined through systematic needs analysis and adaptive course design. Drawing on a review of relevant literature and data from an online survey of Tunisian ESP practitioners, the study underscores the importance of continuous professional development to help teachers incorporate industry input and design market-responsive curricula. The findings highlight a shift toward teachers as facilitators and learners as active participants, with a strong emphasis on aligning ESP instruction with employer expectations to prepare graduates with relevant, future-oriented competencies.