English Writing Skills of Technical Diploma Students in Kerala: An Analysis

Abstract

The present research delves into the English writing skills of students pursuing technical diplomas in Kerala, India. Taking into consideration the need for improving English language skills in Kerala, it is made part of the language learning and educational system in Kerala. In technical institutions also, English is the medium of instruction. English language skills of learners are important and for most learners this is their last opportunity to acquire language in a classroom background. As English has become an indispensable lingua franca in the global technical and scientific community, the capability to articulate complex technical concepts in written English is paramount. The study employs a descriptive-analytical research design, assessing the students’ proficiency in various dimensions such as grammar, syntax, coherence, and technical lexicon. Data was gathered from a representative sample of students through the administration of a series of structured writing tasks and questionnaires. The responses were subsequently evaluated using a rubric formulated on established linguistic standards. Moreover, faculty members were interviewed to glean insights into the pedagogical approaches employed in fostering writing skills. The findings reveal that while students exhibited an understanding of technical concepts, many faced challenges in effectively communicating these in written English. Deficiencies in grammatical accuracy, vocabulary usage, and the ability to structure arguments logically were prominent. The study proposes the integration of context-specific English writing modules within the curriculum and advocates for the development of faculty training programs to address these lacunae and bolster the communication acumen of technical diploma students. It is an attempt to identify specific issues related to writing skills of technical diploma students. This research article presents a study based on the writing skills of learners in Polytechnic colleges in Kerala.