Course Syllabus

English for Engineering Students

College of Civil Engineering
Meeting time: 3 hours
Instructor: Pixie Hope L. Divinagracia
Course Description:
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is known as a learner-centered approach to teaching
English as a foreign or second language. It meets the needs of (mostly) adult learners who need
to learn a foreign language for use in their specific fields, such as science, technology, medicine,
leisure, and academic learning. This course is recommended for students of teacher candidate
professionals who wish to learn how to design ESP courses and programs in an area of
specialization such as English for business, for Civil Engineering, for Academic Purposes, and
for health service purposes. In addition, they are introduced to ESP instructional strategies,
materials adaptation and development, and evaluation.

Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
Listening:
1. Demonstrate comprehension of technical lectures and presentations related to engineering
topics.
2. Identify and understand specific details and key information from audio recordings of
technical discussions.
3. Apply effective listening strategies to extract relevant information from engineering-related
interviews or conversations.
4. Evaluate and interpret spoken instructions and guidelines pertaining to engineering tasks.

Reading:
1. Comprehend and analyze engineering texts, including articles, research papers, and technical
manuals.
2. Locate and extract relevant information from graphs, charts, and tables in engineering-related
documents.
3. Recognize and understand technical vocabulary specific to the field of engineering.
4. Evaluate and summarize the main ideas and arguments presented in engineering texts.

Speaking:
1. Present technical information clearly and concisely using appropriate vocabulary and
terminology while engaging in collaborative discussions and group work related to engineering
problem-solving.
2. Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in delivering presentations on engineering
topics, actively participating in debates, and expressing and defending opinions on engineering-
related issues.
3. Express opinions, interpretations, and analysis of engineering concepts using coherent and
organized speech while practicing effective negotiation and persuasion skills in engineering
contexts.
4. Utilize appropriate discourse markers and transition words to enhance the fluency and
cohesion of oral presentations, and employ appropriate strategies to seek clarification, ask
questions, and provide constructive feedback in engineering discussions.
Writing:
1. Produce well-structured technical reports and documents using appropriate formatting and
style.
2. Develop concise and coherent summaries of engineering texts, highlighting key points and
findings.
3. Apply critical thinking skills in analyzing and evaluating engineering arguments in written
form.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in using correct grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures in
written communication.

Course Modules:
1. Listening:
Module 1: Understanding Technical Lectures
This module focuses on developing listening skills required to comprehend technical
lectures in the field of engineering. Students will practice extracting relevant information,
identifying key concepts, and understanding the organization of lecture content.

Module 2: Effective Listening Strategies for Engineering Discussions

This module aims to enhance students' listening skills for engineering discussions. They
will learn to apply various strategies to grasp specific details, follow technical conversations, and
extract essential information from discussions and interviews.

2. Reading:
Module 1: Analyzing Engineering Texts
In this module, students will learn to analyze and comprehend engineering texts,
including research papers, articles, and technical manuals. They will practice identifying main
ideas, understanding technical vocabulary, and extracting information from graphs and tables.

Module 2: Summarizing Engineering Literature

This module focuses on developing students' ability to summarize engineering literature
effectively. They will learn techniques to condense complex information, highlight key points,
and present concise summaries of engineering texts.
3. Speaking:
Module 1: Technical Presentations and Collaborative Problem-Solving

This module integrates speaking production and speaking interaction skills to develop
students' ability to present technical information effectively and engage in collaborative problem-
solving in engineering.

Module 2: Expressing Analysis and Debating Engineering Issues

This module combines speaking production and speaking interaction skills to enhance
students' proficiency in expressing opinions, interpretations, and analysis of engineering
concepts, as well as engaging in debates on engineering issues with logical reasoning and
persuasive discourse.
5. Writing:
Module 1: Technical Report Writing
This module aims to develop students' skills in writing technical reports. They will learn
the principles of report structure, use appropriate language and tone, and effectively
communicate engineering information in written form.

Module 2: Critical Analysis of Engineering Arguments

In this module, students will practice critical analysis of engineering arguments in written
form. They will learn to evaluate and critique engineering theories, concepts, and research
findings, fostering a deeper understanding of the field.

Course Requirements:
1. Technical Writing Assignments: Students will complete a series of technical writing
assignments that focus on different aspects of engineering communication. These
assignments may include writing reports, memos, manuals, or other forms of technical
documentation. Students will be evaluated on their ability to convey complex technical
information clearly and effectively.
2. Presentations: Students will deliver oral presentations on engineering topics, showcasing
their ability to communicate effectively and present technical information. They will be
expected to use appropriate visual aids, engage the audience, and effectively convey their
ideas. Presentations should demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic and
incorporate effective speaking and presentation techniques.
3. Vlogs: Students will create and publish vlogs related to engineering topics. These vlogs
should demonstrate their ability to communicate technical information in a visually
engaging and accessible manner. Students will be evaluated on their video production
quality, storytelling skills, and their ability to convey complex engineering concepts in a
concise and engaging way.
4. Peer Feedback and Review: Throughout the course, students will participate in peer
feedback and review sessions. They will provide constructive feedback on their
classmates' technical writing, presentations, and vlogs, and receive feedback in return.
This process will help students develop critical evaluation skills and improve their own
work based on the feedback received.
5. Final Exam: The course will conclude with a comprehensive final exam, assessing
students' overall understanding and application of technical writing, presentations, and
vlogging techniques in the context of engineering. The exam may include multiple-choice
questions, short-answer questions, and practical application exercises to evaluate
students' knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course.
Course Texts:
Anderson, C. (2023, April 6). How to Give a Killer Presentation. Harvard Business Review.
Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/06/how-to-give-a-killer-presentation
Developments in English for Specific Purposes. A Multi-Disciplinary Approach Tony Dudley-
Evans and Maggie Jo St John. 1998. (n.d.). Scribd. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/52380920/Developments-in-English-for-Specific-Purposes-A-
Multi-Disciplinary-Approach-Tony-Dudley-Evans-and-Maggie-Jo-St-John-1998
English for Engineering. (2015, August 30). ESL Right Now. Retrieved from
https://eslrightnow.wordpress.com/english-for-engineering/
English for Engineers. (n.d.). PowerShow. Retrieved from
https://www.powershow.com/view/3a8a9MzlkM/English_for_Engineers_powerpoint_ppt_presen
tation
Hajek, M. (2022, July 18). John Field: Listening in the Language Classroom (2008). TEFL in
Colombia. Retrieved from https://teflincolombia.com/2022/07/18/john-field-listening-in-the-
language-classroom-2008/
Huebner, T. (2015). Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills, John
M. Swales and Christine B. Feak. 2012. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press (418
pages). Michigan Series in English for Academic & Professional Purposes, 18(2), 113–115.
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1163/26659077-01802006
Listening skills. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/smileyriaz/listening-skills-
11545165
Schenkelberg, F. (2017, November 7). Listening Skills for Reliabilty Engineers - Fred
Schenkelberg - Medium. Medium. Retrieved from https://fmsreliability.medium.com/listening-
skills-for-reliabilty-engineers-14824581dcbe
Technical Writing for Engineers. (n.d.). PowerShow. Retrieved from
https://www.powershow.com/view/3b8b43-Yjg0N/Technical_Writing_for_Engineers_powerpoin
t_ppt_presentation
TED Talks. (n.d.). TED Talks. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks
Text analysis presentation ppt. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/readwritelearnwell/text-analysis-presentation-ppt
The Importance of English in Engineering.pptx. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/NidhiJethava/the-importance-of-english-in-engineeringpptx
Viehmann, A. (n.d.). Effective Listening Skills » Writing Center. Writing Center. Retrieved from
https://writingcenter.highline.edu/handbook/crla-training-topics/crla-level-2/effective-listening-
skills/
View of How To Improve Listening Skills  for Technical Students. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://online-journals.org/index.php/i-jep/article/view/1795/1932