Developing Communicative Competence of Engineering Students

Abstract

This paper titled “Developing Communicative Competence in English of Engineering Students – Some Strategies” begins with an introduction on the importance of communicative competence for students of engineering courses to have a rosy future in the world of competitions and challenges. The paper, besides defining the terms ‘Communication’ and ‘Competence’ in an appropriate manner, moves with a detailed discussion on the text materials in English prescribed in technical institutes, and pinpoints the inclusion of essential components in the curriculum for the benefit of the students. The wrong notions about the process of communication are listed out and discussed in detail. The irregular approach in the system and the teaching-learning process is discussed with appropriate illustrations. It further underscores the importance of communication skills in terms of prosperity in both academic and professional life of students of engineering courses. The objectives of teaching and learning English both as a subject and as a language are highlighted in this paper. The paper stresses the role of teachers in enhancing the communicative competence of students and also shows some surveys recently taken in favour of engineers with communicative competence. The efforts on the part of the learners in the process of developing their communicative competence are also highlighted. The paper ends with some innovative and down-to-earth strategies for developing the communicative competence of students in the best possible ways.       

Keywords: Communicative Competence, Engineering students, Teaching and Learning