Non-Native English-Speaking Engineers' Writing at the Workplace

ISBN-13: 9789811519826 / Angielski / Twarda / 2020 / 92 str.

Juan Du

Spis treści

Chapter 1 Introduction 

Overview 

Framework

Project design

Limits of the study

Outline

References

Chapter 2 the importance of writing in the engineering field in today’s digital age 

Overview

Writing needs in the workplace 

Globalized communication

A focus on Chinese engineers

      Participants

Summary

References

Chapter3  High writing demands and standards in the workplace

Overview

Writing demands at work

The demand for good writing skills at work

Summary

Refenrence 

Chapter 4 Chinese engineers‘ writing difficulties 

Writing in a second language

       Vocabulary 

       Syntax: Complexity versus Density

       Coherence

 Social contexts and communicative purpose

       Textual purpose in the workplace

The similarities between the writing process and the design process

Summary

References

Chapter 5 Engineers‘ explanations of writing difficulties

Inexpericed writers

Professional reputation

Avoiding writing in the workplace

     Relying on data to avoid writing

Summary

References

Chapter 6 Discussion and implications

Overview

Discussion about writing difficulties

       Language versus literacy

        Disciplinary literacy

Writing process: thinking, revision, not just editing

Lack of writing in the workplace 

Perceptions of professional identities

Avoiding writing in the workplace

       Reliance on data

       Lost opportunities

 Implications

            Implications for practice

                  Professional training for engineer writers at the workplace

            Implications for pedagogy

Future research

Conclusion

References

Appendix A 

Appendix B

Appendix C 

O autorze

​Juan Du is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Foreign Language Studies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She received both her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction in College of Education from University of Florida in 2017. She has participated in local and national conferences in the States and China, and has presented her research to colleagues in the field. She has also published research articles in key Chinese academic journals. Her research interests include English writing instructions for language learners, secondary and college literacy teaching and learning, and Chinese contemporary literature. 

Blurb

Based on 55 semi-structured in-depth interviews, this book investigates 15 high-tech engineering co-op professionals’ writing experience in the workplace. It shows how the digital age has had a marked impact on the engineers’ methods of communication at work, and how on-the -job writing has affected engineers’ technical competence, shaped their professional identities, challenged their views on Chinese and English writing, and hindered their success in the workplace. 

The book identifies three aspects of writing practice: engineers’ linguistic and literacy challenges, the reasons behind these challenges, and coping strategies, which suggest that engineers are underprepared and lack necessary support in the workplace. Lastly, the study shows that engineers need to engage in technical literacy through on-the-job writing so that they can fully deal with workplace discourse and socialize with diverse professional groups.

Since the sample group interviewed in this book is engineers who studied at universities in the United States and have a foot in the world of school and work as well as knowledge of both Eastern and Western cultures, the book appeals to teachers, students, engineers and scientists who are interested in scientific and technological writing. It is also valuable for educators who prepare scientists, engineers, and technical communicators for professional roles, as well as for communication practitioners who work with engineers.