English for Academic Purposes (EAP) VS English for Occupational Purposes (EOP)

During 1980s, both EAP and EOP (English for Occupational Purposes) were grouped together. This is seen when Carver (1983) identified three types of ESP (English for Specific Purposes): (i) English as a restricted language, (ii) English for Academic and Occupational Purposes, and (iii) English with specific topics. It is noted here that EAP and EOP are categorised as the same type of ESP. This idea is in line with Hutchinson and Waters‟s (1987) view that EAP and EOP is not a “clear-cut distinction as people can work and study simultaneously and it is also likely that in many cases the language learnt for immediate use in a study environment will be used later when the students takes up, or returns to, a job” (p.16).Therefore, it can be implied that both EAP and EOP are geared towards the same purpose or outcome –to prepare learners for their future professions. However, this idea is not accepted by some ESP researchers like Sabariah and Rafik Galea (2005) and Jordan (1997).

EAP	EOP
1.       EAP is the language tailored to the needs of those who study in an English-medium environment at the level of higher education.	EOP is the language in a broad variety of work-related settings, such as Business English, English for Economics, English for Law, and other types.
2.       In education, it designed to teach students a range of vocabulary items and grammar structures to communicate in a limited number of professionally relevant situations	It is designed to teach students to communicate in a broad variety of professionally relevant situations.
3.       EAP programs build skill sets that bridge to the workplace	EOP professionals bring standards and quality to the provision of EOP training, as well as to policy work, consulting, research, etc
4.       Taught  as a  school subject	Taught as a pre- experience
5.       Focus on learning adult	Working adult.
6.       To enhance academic performance.	To generate job performance
7.       It is to meet university’s requirement (or any other educational instituitions)	It is to meet occupational challenges.