The English language & communication in the international workplace: an examination of Thai computer engineering professionals
Using effective English language is one of the most desired communication skills for successful international engineering workplace. However, the way in which this language is used in terms of computer engineering has not been much studied, despite being one of the key aspects of international bus...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pusat Pengajian Bahasa dan Linguistik, FSSK, UKM
2015
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/9072/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/9072/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/9072/1/9222-27896-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | Using effective English language is one of the most desired communication skills for successful international
engineering workplace. However, the way in which this language is used in terms of computer engineering has
not been much studied, despite being one of the key aspects of international business. This study aims to explore
the nature of international communicative situations; to identify how Thai engineers self-report their language
proficiency, ability to perform English-related tasks and their opinions regarding language use in an
international workplace. The participants were Thai engineers working in companies located in the Bangkok
metropolitan area. A mixed-methods approach was employed, and the results revealed that English language
proficiency plays a key role in their workplace and in terms of career advancement; their interpersonal
communication mostly took place between colleagues in the same base, or between overseas bases, in terms of
cooperation, teamwork, and meetings; oral communication skills were the most needed; their perceived
language proficiency level was fair, and their perceived reading skills were the best in comparison to their
other skills; and using perfect English was not a priority, yet intelligibility was more important for reaching
their communicative goals. Such findings have led to pedagogical implications such as specifically designing
courses containing realistic knowledge and skills; introducing the concept of BELF to raise awareness among
engineering students regarding comprehensibility of non-native-like English speech; and practicing listening
with both native and non-native accents to be familiar with these accents and more confident communicating in
real-life situations. |
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