Widdowson (1983), West (1994), Benesch (2001), Carter (2001), Jasso-Aguilar (2005), Belcher (2009), Starfield (2013), Flowerdew (2013), and Basturkmen (2014)
All these researchers are concerned with “how unequal power relations shape interaction and opportunity both in and outside of the classroom” (Starfield, 2013, p. 462), being ESP an empowering way of challenging societies’ inequities. Furthermore, Benesch (2001) challenges the notion of needs analysis to “right analysis” to raise consciousness on the opportunities that ESP learners have in or out language classrooms. Finally, Paltridge (2001, p.121) summarizes this view explaining that critical views “might explore the connections between discourse, language learning, language use, and the social and political contexts.”
