专业英语,即专门用途英语(ESP),是我国高校大学英语教学发展方向。但目前ESP教学并没有受到广泛重视,并且各高校的ESP教学效果普遍不理想。本文运用认知负荷理论阐释了ESP教学存在的问题:ESP教学的内在认知负荷高;ESP教学的相关认知负荷未得到充分发挥;ESP教学的外在认知负荷控制不当。同时,分析了产生问题的原因,并提出相应措施。 Professional English, namely ESP, is the development of college English teaching in China. However, at present, ESP teaching has not been widely valued, and ESP teaching in colleges and universities generally unsatisfactory. This paper uses cognitive load theory to explain the problems existing in ESP teaching: the intrinsic cognitive load of ESP teaching is high; the related cognitive load of ESP teaching is not fully exerted; and the external cognitive load of ESP teaching is not properly controlled. At the same time, it analyzes the causes of the problems and puts forward corresponding measures.