19th INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL CONGRESS ON LIFE, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
FOREIGN LANGUAGES FOR ENGINEERS, A REFLECTION OF OUR CURRENT SOCIETY
Yazarlar:
Irina-Ana DROBOT
Yayıncı:
BZT Turan Publishing House
The purpose of this paper is to show how foreign languages knowledge for engineers needs to be considered in the context of the realities of today’s world, in the sense that knowledge of vocabulary, even if specialized, and grammar are not enough. Since language is used for communication, foreign language teachers need to consider interactive exercises, such as role-playing, collaborative problem-solving, and practical business communication tasks. General foreign language knowledge should be blended with technical and professional communication skills for engineering students, since the paper relies on the teaching experience she has with students at the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest. Technical contexts of language use should be interrelated with the social contexts of these students’ professional environment and everyday life. Effective language teaching and learning should balance technical vocabulary with activities fostering intercultural communication, teamwork, and leadership, which are essential for working in multinational and multidisciplinary environments. The European Union standards emphasize multiculturalism and adaptability at the workplace, as well as in all social contexts. Engineering students should master both linguistic proficiency and exercise other skills such as critical thinking and cultural awareness. The real-world needs of engineers include skills to help them succeed working in international teams and contributing to projects in their professional domain.
