An Integrative Approach to the Teaching of Technical Communication Skills

Abstract

This paper examines the role of language in the teaching of technical report writing for first-year Engineering students at Temasek Polytechnic. It describes, predicts and critiques the communicative behaviours of these students when they came into contact with report writing. Using an exploratory approach with an interactional sociolinguistics analysis, my intention is to generate insights that are of practical and meaningful use in tertiary education. Triangulation of data, drawn primarily from classroom teaching and tutor consultation, was realized through informal interviews, questionnaires, drafts as well as final reports. Findings indicate that good report writing can be learnt through an integrative approach in the teaching of proper framework and techniques. Results were encouraging: students not only demonstrated a high level of creativity and enthusiasm in class activities, but also a considerable improvement in their final reports. Most importantly, there has been a noticeable shift in their attitude towards writing.