The what – how – why of English in the workplace: perspectives from Turkish engineers

Çal, Akif; Admiraal, Wilfried; Mearns, Tessa

doi:10.1080/03043797.2021.1946014

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Trianto (2009) describes the learning process as a transformation from not knowing to knowing, less skilled to skilled, and old habits to new habits. These ideas reinforce the ultimate goal of education, which is to equip individuals with skills and understanding for success beyond the educational setting (Çal et al, 2022;Trianto, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Exploring Needs in English Learning Materials for Visual Communication Design Students and Graduates: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Wijayanto,

Barlian,

Nurbani

2023

REiLA Journal

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The field of Visual Communication Design (VCD) in Indonesia requires students and graduates to enhance their English language skills to stay competitive globally. However, there is a significant gap in understanding the specific English language material needs of students and graduates in this field, so it needs to be more understanding of their particular linguistic needs. This mixed-methods study aims to explore the disparities in English language skills perceived by VCD students and graduates in Indonesia and identify their specific English language material needs. . Through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions, data were collected from 30 students and 10 graduates. The findings reveal differences in language proficiency or skills perspectives between VCD students and graduates , emphasizing the importance of designing language courses that align with learners' specific needs and industry demands. This study's implications for English language education in various industries highlight the significance of effective communication in a globalized world. By addressing learners' specific language demands, educators can better support students' language learning goals and prepare graduates for success in their professional endeavors. Implementing industry-specific language instruction and curriculum can enhance learners' competitiveness and communication in the workplace, promoting stronger international collaborations within the creative industries. Although challenges may arise in implementing changes, a partnership between academic institutions and industry stakeholders can bridge the gap between academic language learning and real-world language demands. Addressing learners' needs in English language education can ultimately contribute to their professional growth and success in the global market.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Exploring Needs in English Learning Materials for Visual Communication Design Students and Graduates: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Wijayanto,

Barlian,

Nurbani

2023

REiLA Journal

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“…These issues, however, are not limited to complex or technical skills; deficiencies in "soft" skills are frequently reported (Hurrel, 2016). English communication skills (ECS) are considered vital soft skills (Çal, Admiraal & Mearns, 2022;Hradilová, 2018) in Englishdominating workplaces, including international business, where English is used as a business lingua franca (BELF in short).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

English Communication Skills in International Business: Industry Expectations Versus University Preparation

Roshid

Kankaanranta

2023

Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

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In the globalized labor market, skills gaps between industry expectations and university preparation are becoming more prevalent. English communication skills (ECS) are vital soft skills in all workplaces, particularly in international business, where English is commonly used as a lingua franca. This case study examined the nexus between academia and industry regarding the instruction of ECS and their applicability to meet the requirements of the globalized business landscape by collecting data from 43 personnel in the international ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh. The research reveals that English courses in higher education do not adequately address the communication needs of the international RMG business, which requires practical experience in the workplace, trade-specific vocabulary, intelligibility, and clarity rather than a high level of fluency. The study recommends promoting the teaching of English for general business purposes in Bangladesh by integrating theoretical and practical learning in the classroom and workplace as part of the curriculum.

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“…Various experimental studies have been conducted on Business English for Specific purposes among engineering students, basically in the Asian educational environment [1][2][3][4][5]. These studies have consistently found that an engineer also needs soft or professional skills such as interpersonal and communicative skills [6] that are critical in engineering practice. Differing definitions and lack of empirical evidence make it difficult to help students develop these skills.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indonesian Mechanical Engineering students, for example, perceive that listening is the most important skill for them followed by speaking, reading, and writing [9]. According to findings of Turkish scientists, the most important language skill is reading and the least important is speaking, showing a high contrast with ESL [6]. Hossain J. states that improvement of writing and speaking skills is very urgent for engineering students in Bangladesh [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of technology on speaking and writing skills of masters in engineering esp learning

Chaikovska

Semenyshyna

Muliarchuk

et al. 2022

21st International Scientific Conference Engineering for Rural Development Proceedings

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Dissatisfaction of Ukrainian employers with the FL performance of engineers in the workplace reveals the gap between ESP university instructions and the expectations of employers. This gap provides opportunities for additional research to examine materials and technology that can benefit engineering student performance in Business English for Specific Purposes course which shares the characteristics with General English, English for Specific Purposes, Business English and is considered the most difficult ESP subset both for teaching and learning. In this paper, we investigate the influence of engineering podcasts chosen through needs analysis and online technical writing materials on students' speaking and writing skills in a profession-based context. To be more specific, we examined which of the two sub-skills was acquired with better progress. This study followed two groups of Masters majoring in Agricultural Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Energy (n = 115) in Ukraine through 2020/21. To design the course, we conveyed a two-phase questionnaire to examine engineering students' opinions on the necessity of acquiring four basic skills and sub-skills. After having integrated English podcasts for engineers by Olivia Augustin, the engineering career coach podcasts and technical writing videos with the experimental group both groups were tested at the end of the course. To assess the statistical difference between the groups Pearson criterion in Excel was used. The research results showed that students highlighted speaking and writing skills as the main challenges. Technical writing skills were enhanced by using technology in Business English for Engineering Purposes classroom. The experiment has demonstrated that there is no significant difference in improving speaking skills in the control and experimental groups. Further research should consider other effective strategies for improving students' speaking performance in Business English for Engineering Purposes.

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The what – how – why of English in the workplace: perspectives from Turkish engineers

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Exploring Needs in English Learning Materials for Visual Communication Design Students and Graduates: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Exploring Needs in English Learning Materials for Visual Communication Design Students and Graduates: A Mixed-Methods Approach

English Communication Skills in International Business: Industry Expectations Versus University Preparation

Impact of technology on speaking and writing skills of masters in engineering esp learning

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