The ESP Workshop, hosted by the Department of English at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on Saturday at AUD II, brought students together for an insightful session on English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The event highlighted how language skills can be harnessed for digital entrepreneurship, remote work, and thriving in global career spaces.
Professor T.O. Babalola, the Head of the Department of English, delivered an inspiring address, reminding students that studying English should never be viewed as an academic dead-end. “English is not just the degree you are pursuing to reach an end,” he stated. “It is a means to an end.”
The first keynote session was led by Dr. Olagbenro Oladipo, a proud alumnus of the department who is now an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University in the USA. He introduced students to AI-powered writing tools that can enhance creativity, productivity, and online visibility.
However, Dr. Oladipo cautioned students against blindly trusting machine-generated content. He highlighted that AI writing often features unusual punctuation, such as dashes and asterisks, and can exhibit exaggerated emotional tones. Understanding these characteristics, he noted, enables English users to become more discerning writers and editors.
The second speaker, Dr. O.I. Ekeh spotlighted the financial aspects of language by introducing a practical career framework he named SKILL SET. His session provided insights on how students can transform their English language proficiency into income-generating ventures.
According to him, SKILL SET stands for:
- S – Be Specific about what you want
- K – Apply Knowledge powerfully
- I – Stay inspired
- L – Commit to Lifelong Learning
- L– Look for unexplored niches
And for SET:
- S – Be seriously minded
- E – Embrace Exploration
- T – Be Time-conscious
The final segment of the workshop featured three Part 4 Education and English students who have begun applying ESP principles in their personal, creative, and digital journey.
Popoola Blessing Ifeoluwa, a creative writer and creator, passionately discussed creative writing as a tool for generating digital income. She emphasised the importance of writing for specific audiences and using storytelling to create relatable content online.
Simeon Eniola, the class representative, presented on monetising YouTube content through effective scripting, strong English skills, and audience engagement techniques.
Opeyemi Adisa, another Part 4 student, delivered a compelling presentation on Web3 and English. He explained how blockchain platforms are increasingly seeking English users for community management and educational content.