Global English in higher education: exploring the current role of world englishes and ESP

Resumen

This article explores how the global adoption of English in higher education has led to World englishes (WE) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) becoming key trends in English Language Teaching (ELT). It provides a sociolinguistic and historical perspective on the spread of English, especially its association with innovation and its gradual expansion into more sociolinguistic domains. Its impact on educational systems and students worldwide is also discussed, along with emerging debates about the role of English varieties and culture in higher education courses such as English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), especially in light of research on WE. Next, the main tenets, areas, and research perspectives of ESP, such as discourse analysis in science and transfer of skills, are examined. The article also explores how technology can complement these fields through big data and generative AI. Finally, to encourage local research and debate, potential research topics for Bolivia within these trends are suggested.