Communication Skills in Engineering Higher Education with a Focus on Maritime English in MET

Abstract

In order to prepare graduates to take on responsibility and leadership-oriented positions early in their careers, engineering curricula traditionally focus primarily on technical abilities. The selection of engineering science courses that make up most of these programs of study is consistently preparing graduates for the technical aspects of their field of study. As employers tend to hire graduates who do not require additional training, the eligibility of job candidates on the labour market is also strongly reliant on the range of soft skills attained such as foreign language competence, communication skills, appropriate mindset in teamwork, stress management, etc. Most universities throughout the world feature soft skill courses in their curricula, which are primarily targeted at building professional qualities. In the marine industry, the STCW convention’s Chapter III/I code specifies standards for a marine engineer’s operating competence. To be deemed competent, officers in command of an engineer’s watch in a manned engine room or a designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine room must be qualified to “use English in written and oral form”. Therefore, instructors should focus on teaching specific terminology and communication skills as required by IMO standards and the international shipping industry in order to prepare high-quality seafarers in terms of maritime English. This paper aims to identify a method of incorporating communication skills and language proficiency into the engineering curriculum with a focus on Maritime English in MET.