Issues and suggestions Communication skills curriculum in Engineering and Technology courses - Ms.C.Divya, AP/English

The last four decades - massive expansion - engineering and technical education, the nation presently faces many challenges due to rapid growth in unemployment. This is primarily due to exponential growth in the number of engineering institutions in the country, as well as the lack of proper linkages between industry and universities.

Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), higher secondary schools and junior level technical colleges. Diplomas in engineering and technology courses Undergraduate/postgraduate engineering and technology education Engineering and technology education in India

Communication classes After the two year completion in the course all branch engineering graduates will have communication Skills laboratory classes – the syllabus which is mentioned in detail. Degree Courses The eligibility criteria – a minimum pass in (HSSC) examination with at least 50% marks in aggregate in the following subjects: General science (Physics and Chemistry, Mathematics and English.

A. English Language Lab (18 Periods) 1. Listening Comprehension: (6) Listening and typing – Listening and sequencing of sentences – Filling in the blanks - Listening and answering questions. 2. Reading Comprehension: (6) Filling in the blanks – Close exercises – Vocabulary building – Reading and answering questions. 3. Speaking: (6) Phonetics: Intonation – Ear training – Correct Pronunciation – Sound recognition exercises – Common Errors in English. Conversations: Face to Face Conversation – Telephone conversation – Role play activities (Students take on roles and engage in conversation)

B. Discussion of audio-visual materials (6 periods) (Samples are available to learn and practice) 1. Resume / Report Preparation / Letter Writing (1) Structuring the resume / report – Letter writing / Communication Samples. 2. Presentation skills: (1) Elements of effective presentation – Structure of presentation – Presentation tools – Voice Modulation – Audience analysis – Body language – Video samples 3. Soft Skills: (2) Time management – Articulateness ( pronounce distinctly and carefully) – Assertiveness(positiveness) – Psychometrics –Innovation and Creativity – Stress Management & Poise – Video Samples 4. Group Discussion: (1) Why is GD part of selection process ? – Structure of GD – Moderator – led and other GDs – Strategies in GD – Team work – Body Language – Mock GD -Video samples 5. Interview Skills: (1) Kinds of interviews – Required Key Skills – Corporate culture – Mock interviews- Video samples.

I. PC based session (Weightage- 40%) 24 periods II. Practice Session (Weightage- 60%) 24 periods 1.Resume / Report Preparation / Letter writing Students prepare their (2)own resume and report. 2. Presentation Skills: Students make presentations on given topics. (8) 3. Group Discussion: Students participate in group discussions. (6) 4. Interview Skills: Students participate in Mock Interviews (8)

Students with English as the main medium of instruction for their high school education are enrolled in the same group as those from a non- English medium of instruction. Observed - degree holders face several challenges in the employment market because of low self-confidence - due primarily to a lack of communication skills. The main reasons for this are as follows: -Poor English language proficiency -Lack of oral and written communication skills; - Lack of proper representation techniques. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS

Challenges of Engineering graduates Majority -first year engineering undergraduate -Tamil speaking background Same curriculum - (diversified) groups-English speakers as for non-English speaking students. For four years undergraduate courses English and communication skills contributes very less. Communication skills – only during - third year students, students lack a sufficient level of oral communication skills required after graduation.

SUGGESTIONS Communication skills - essential component of an engineer’s education. More can still be done to advance students’ acquisition of communication. Few recommendations that can be drawn from this study are given below, they are.

Stand-alone subjects -identify the benefits and relevance of utilizing they can be transferred into the rest of the student’s experience Engineering students face difficulties in written communication than with oral. Paper presentation encourages research skills and facilitate presentation skills, but also to advance written communication skills. Oral communication and presentation skills - best career enhancers in determining a student’s career success.

Personal mastery Personal mastery links directly with life-long learning; students need such skills to stay abreast of developments in their profession and to build upon existing skills to advance personal knowledge. Engaging learners will help facilitate and stimulate effective and purposeful learning. Involving the learners directly, in particular, will engender a stronger sense of responsibility in the future graduates that they can take beyond their university and into the work arena. This is especially important in engaging learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) as it involves new vocabulary. This will necessarily entail a more active approach by the educator when dealing with the class.

It is listed the key features of the compulsory communications subject for undergraduate engineering students. In order to maintain relevance in today’s world, universities need to reflect industry (and social) demands by passing on to graduates the required skills. The inclusion of communications subject in engineering education should be viewed as a vital component of an engineers’ education.

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