The importance of writing skills at the Istrian University of Applied Sciences: Students’ perspective

The English language is present in every aspect of education, be it for humanities or for natural sciences. There are many articles and books published only in English which serve as a basis for many university courses in many languages. Even those courses which are primarily focused on practical work such as engineering, automation, and computer aided design rely heavily on the use of English language for their sources. This is the reason why teaching English is required in almost every field of education. In this article, we are going to discuss the students’ perspective on learning English as a foreign language, specifically writing. First, we are going to explain why teaching writing to students from different fields and with different backgrounds may be problematic. The research uses a questionnaire to disclose what types of assistance in writing the students at Istrian University of Applied Sciences perceive they need in their academic endeavors. The results provide relevant data to instructors to better assist students in writing and in approaching teaching English in professional studies. The authors also discuss whether the existence of a writing center similar to writing centers at American institutions of higher education could be appropriate