Since the 1990s, corpus linguistics has been increasingly integrated into language pedagogy. However, research regarding corpus applications within English for Specific Purposes (ESP) remains relatively sparse, primarily due to the inherent complexity of ESP disciplines and the challenges of acquiring specialized corpora. This paper utilizes Aviation English as a case study to explore practical pathways for implementing small corpora in ESP instruction.Initially, the paper establishes that small ESP corpora must adhere to principles of representativeness, authenticity, and operability. By aligning with the professional requirements of Aviation English learners, a specialized corpus was constructed using authentic civil aviation data across various genres. The application of this corpus is examined through three dimensions: identifying linguistic features, providing direct classroom materials, and supporting autonomous learning. This methodology aims to correct common ESP teaching pitfalls, such as knowledge-oriented biases and over-reliance on instructor experience.A case study on verb nominalization (comparing malfunction and its nominalized form malfunctioning) illustrates the linguistic distinctions between Aviation English and General English, confirming the utility of small corpora in feature analysis. The findings suggest that self-built small corpora effectively heighten students' sensitivity to ESP linguistic nuances and bolster professional communication skills. Nevertheless, the study acknowledges limitations in representativeness and suggests that small corpora be used in tandem with large-scale corpora for enhanced precision.
Zeqi Liu (2026) studied this question.