9th International Conference on Engineering Education R2J-1 Teaching EFL for Engineering Students

several exchange agreements with colleges abroad and the number of Norwegian exchange students visiting colleges abroad is increasing. However, the number of foreign students coming to OUC is still somewhat below expectations. This situation has triggered a discussion concerning measures to attract more foreign students. One such measure has been the feasibility of introducing lectures in English. However, there has been very little discussion about the English language skills of Norwegian engineering students. Recent research in Norway indicates that the current proficiency level of English of our students is far below what is expected when they enter higher education and engineering colleges. As there is no compulsory tuition of English, it is reasonable to assume that the language skills of future engineers will not have improved drastically by the time they leave engineering colleges. In view of the current general trends of increased internationalisation and number of student exchange programmes on the one hand, and the apparent need for improved English language skills on the other, this paper describes various didactic approaches that may improve the English language competence of engineering students. The approaches have been tried out on students and apprentices within engineering areas such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and building construction Index Terms- EFL, Technical English, cultural knowledge, didactic approaches