Communication Needs of Engineering Graduates

Karmuru Rohit Reddy1

1,
Institute of Engineering and Management, Kolkata

Email:rohith.070501@gmail.com

Abstract:

Usually, graduate programs in most universities are geared towards preparing

candidates taking into account their academic interests and communication skills
are often taught as add-on classes that never take into account the needs of
students. Based on their educational background and English language skills, the
needs of graduate students will differ, and as such, it is necessary to perform a
needs review to ensure that these courses meet the needs of English speakers
who are both qualified and less skilled. The students ' requirements vary
depending on their English proficiency. Many with higher skills tend to learn a
variety of linguistic genres and language skills of higher order, while those with
lower skills need more practice with language skills of lower order as well as more
peer and instructor guidance.

Keywords: Communication, English, Engineering graduates

Introduction

Communication of science to different audiences is a core competency of

scientists and engineers. Science has been gradually expressed primarily in
English, which endorses English as the international language of science and
technology, rather than being seen as the scientific community's neutral
language, English-language expertise is regarded as a gatekeeper disadvantaging
non-native English speakers.

Generally some engineers are less qualified and competent in English language
conversation, hampering their way of presenting and discussing scientific
concepts and observations. Past studies have examined and clarified the
communication difficulties and technical needs of students. A recent qualitative
study on graduate engineering students enrolled in an American university found
that while non-native English students were highly motivated to learn and
appreciate the value of language learning amidst Native English speakers (NES).
These students also find it difficult to communicate in English with their American
counterparts.

It is found that although some science students recognize their limited English
proficiency as a disadvantage, they downplay the role of English in scientific
publication, believing that empirical data are more important. Besides the limited
English language competence of engineering graduate students, there are
arguments that non-English speakers are further disadvantaged because the
evaluative meta-language used to assess their writing performance is based on
distinctive modes of Western thought that they are unfamiliar with. Other
universities in the UK and Australia have a diverse range of international students
at the postgraduate level from different parts of the world, with varying language
backgrounds. English is used as a contact language between international
students with different first languages in these Anglophone universities. In
Australian and New Zealand universities, international students grapple with
similar issues as they have difficulty coping with the demands of their studies due
to language difficulties and intercultural communication barriers.
MEASURES TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE

So it can be observed that English Communication is a major setback for some

Engineering graduates. So a variety of methods have been suggested to resolve
this issue and help these graduates to cope with this disadvantage which can put
them in a tight spot in future.

1) English should be taught as a Technical Subject

We see that in most of the universities English is not taught as a technical
subject which put these students in even more tough spot. English should
be given equal importance as other technical subjects to address this issue.
2) Peer help groups should be set up in Universities
Those students who have a sound knowledge of technical communication
might actually help out students who struggle with it. This is done by
forming Peer help groups in universities.
3) Creative Writing should be encouraged
It is seen that English communication can be majorly improved through
creative writing. So creative writing should be encouraged in universities for
engineering graduates as well.
4) English should be the medium of teaching and instruction
Although English is actually the medium of instruction among most of the
universities. We see a wide range of languages been spoken on campus and
even while teaching, strict measures should be taken against to improve
English communication skills.
5) Technical Style teaching methodologies should be implemented
Engineering is a technical course so to improve communication skills he
teaching methodology should be implemented.

CONCLUSION

So it is seen that many Engineers lack in Technical communication and English

communication skills.So to address this issue we can implement various teaching
methodologies and measures to improve this condition or rather the setback
caused by this to our students.
REFERENCES

1) Aitchson C, Catterall J, Ross P, and Burgin S (2012) ‘Tough love and tears’:
learning doctoralwriting in the sciences.
2) Higher Education Research and Development
3) Angelova M, Zhao Y (2016) Using an online collaborative project between
American and Chinesestudents to develop ESL teaching skills, cross-cultural
awareness and language skills.
4) Assisted Language Learning by Shashwat Dubey