Acquiring Technical Terms for Report Writing using Online Resources: A Case Study with Aircraft Maintenance Learners

Abstract

Aviation English is a compulsory course in the aircraft maintenance programme to acquire technical terms for safety and efficient operation of aircrafts. Research on technical term acquisition for writing is limited, and little is known about teaching and learning technical terms in the aircraft maintenance programme. The current study examines how the online learning mode assisted the aircraft maintenance learners to use the technical terms appropriately in their written tasks. This study employed a qualitative research design, and 14 first-year Diploma in Aircraft Engineering (DAE) learners participated in this study. The data collection process involved learners submitting their assignment (tasks) via online to their instructor. The tasks set for them were based on the topics of aircraft maintenance and safety, namely Corrosion, Aircraft rivets and Aircraft Structural maintenance. The findings revealed how they integrated technical terms in their assignments using online resources. Learners generally used online resources, such as e-books, video lectures, e-dictionaries, online articles, online text and documents, aircraft maintenance web pages and blogs, and listening to podcasts to understand the technical terms and integrate them into their assignments. Additionally, the findings also explained how the use of online forums enabled the learners to improve their assignments. These findings elucidate the use of online resources as an influential platform to integrate technical terms in learners' written assignments and help increase their knowledge in using the technical terms and writing the reports correctly.