Need for an Aligned ESP Writing Course for Engineering Students

Abstract

The English writing skills of engineering students in India is a tricky proposition. The term- end university exams majorly test their writing ability but the students focus more on oral communication skills to do well in group discussions and interviews to get placed. To add to this, the pressure of domain subjects and a lack of awareness about the real need of writing skills at the workplace and in higher education contribute both to a neglect and poor standard of writing. University courses are not updated frequently and proper needs analysis is not done. India produces the largest number of engineers annually. The paper argues for a mechanism to continuously update English writing course for engineering students by aligning the views of all stakeholders. It also recommends granting autonomy and flexibility to ESP teachers to draft a new or modify the existing writing course which will be updated as per the academic and workplace needs.