Nonverbal Component Of Engineer’s Communicative Competence

Abstract

This paper explores the communicative competence of engineering professionals engaging in global communication. The authors highlight the need for expanding knowledge of the elements that constitute the second language (L2) communicative competence in global encounters within engineering practice. Among the least emphasized components are non-verbal vocal characteristics of a technical speaker that count the most for the message to be accepted at all the stages of any engineering project. The research sets a twofold aim: to evaluate and increase the level of engineering students' self-knowledge of their nonverbal features specific for a technical presentation. As a first step, the presentations from Russian learners of both undergraduate and postgraduate level were recorded and rated by IT professionals for a number of vocal characteristics. As a second step, the students engaged in self-reflective practice on the survey data and took part in the critical listening of models and anti-models of technical presentations. As a result, a set of specific oral challenges for engineering students was identified, as well as the lack of students' awareness of vocal tools to convey an adequate and clear message. The study's implications for teaching and future research include that more emphasis should be placed on the development of oral skills with a special focus on non-verbal delivery techniques being an integral part of effective intercultural technical communication and a key to professional success, previously ignored in the curriculum planning.

CEFR-Related Assessment Practices in Teaching L2 for Workplace Interaction

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Principles of Education Content in Teaching Foreign-language Professional Communication in Non-linguistic Universities

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