Two Worlds Apart? Engineering Students’ Perceptions of Workplace English

Akif Çal Leiden University ; Tessa Mearns Leiden University ; Wilfried Admiraal OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University

Abstract

This study aims to explore to what extent engineering students’ perceptions of the role of English in the workplace are affected by their internship and field of study. Previous research revealed that employers value engineers’ English communication skills highly. However, mismatches between workplace expectations and engineers’ competencies affect engineers’ employability negatively. To explore this topic, a survey and interviews were conducted. Results suggest that neither internship experience nor field of study made any difference in engineering students’ perception of the role of English in the workplace, which led to a potential mismatch between their perceptions and workplace expectations.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-03-01
DOI
10.1177/23294906231182613
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  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

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