ESP in technical computer courses

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) also known as Instrumental English is guided by objectives defined according to the learner's needs. In Brazil there is still a misconception about this approach reducing it to teaching reading skills alone. However it is known that through instrumental teaching any of the four skills-reading speaking writing or listening-can be developed according to the objective to be achieved. This monographic work consists of bibliographic and quantitative-qualitative research that investigates the origins of Instrumental English teaching and highlights actions developed by a project in this area in Brazil. It also seeks to highlight the importance of the autonomy of teachers who work with this approach especially in the preparation of authentic teaching materials. To reinforce the assumptions listed we present a study with computer science students after the use of software to assist teachers in teaching Instrumental English.