Title Assessment of English in the workplace: a study of non-native engineers /
Translation of Title Profesinės anglų kalbos mokėjimo vertinimas: negimtakalbių inžinierių kalbos analizė.
Authors Mordaunt, Owen G ; Kulik, Ann ; Nausėda, Aurimas
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Is Part of Jaunųjų mokslininkų darbai. 2009, nr.4(25), p. 50-55.. ISSN 1648-8776
Keywords [eng] Non-native engineers ; English language assessment ; Case study design ; Learning experiences
Abstract [eng] This article presents the results of a qualitative research study with nonnative- speaking engineers relative to their background in English and current language needs in the workplace. An interview and a questionnaire were designed; also a descriptive analysis of theoretical literature was employed. Subjects consisted of five individuals who specialize in engineering, and data were collected through a combination of an interview and a needs assessment questionnaire developed specifically for the study. It was found that the subjects tended to over-estimate their English proficiency, but all were able to transfer language learning skills successfully from the other languages they know, but they also had difficulties because of interference from L1 and L2. The key observation is that the subjects had been largely successful in terms of being able to use the language with a degree of fluency. Extensive research of this kind (follow- up in the workplace) could yield further results which could be invaluable to those involved in assessing English for Specific Purposes (ESP) or English as a Second Language (ESL) in the workplace as well as syllabi or curricula design. It is significant that the findings of this study indicate some of the language issues pertinent to non-native speakers of English who have to “fit” into the real world of work of the target language culture. The findings of the study have implications for ESL research and pedagogy in terms of the project being a type of assessment of second language acquisition outcomes. The study also deals with the kind of research which is relevant to those interested in second language acquisition and learning.
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2009