Archive - Central European Conference on Information and Intelligent Systems, CECIIS - 2010

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How to Integrate Foreign Language Teaching into Professional Subjects
Marija Krznarić, Rade Buinac

Last modified: 2010-07-13

Abstract


This paper deals with implementation of the Bologna Process into the professional study programme at the Polytechnic of Zagreb, Department of Electrical Engineering regarding students’ employability and mobility. The recommendation of at least two foreign languages for the future graduates, who intend to study and work somewhere in the European Union, has become an obligatory prerequisite. It is not something “to think about”, it is something “to be done”. Although Croatian students have been learning a foreign language for at least nine years, they still need to improve their knowledge of the language and acquire skills needed for successful communication, written and spoken.

 

Since the majority of higher education institutions, particularly technical ones, have computer laboratories, which allow implementation of computer assisted language learning, foreign language teaching and learning can be more successful, more interesting and more motivating. Not to mention modern, up to date. Therefore, special teaching materials should be prepared; students should write seminars, reports, summaries, create computer presentations, etc. This paper gives a few examples how to introduce students into their professional study field, its glossary, sentence structure, and all that in order to make them fit for their future appearance on the labour market, i.e. qualify them for the challenges of electrical engineering.

 

The emphasis here is on the English language and how the students in the Department of Electrical Engineering meet the requirements of the Bologna Process linked to integration of professional and language learning. The important issue in this process is technical language – a tool which can be considered crucial for electrical engineers since they often need to convey their knowledge through written documents. Further plans include writing BSC thesis and thesis defence in English, of course, which would add extra credits to students’ Diploma Supplement and increase their competitiveness on the demanding European labour market.


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