Abstract:

Building Services and Civil Engineering are central to the design, execution, installation and maintenance of the convenience and comfort systems in buildings. They see that a building has more than walls and a roof and focus on the factors involved in the production and maintenance of a stable internal environment. It is often mentioned that future engineers must be equipped with the skills and knowledge that will make them the best in their field. The academic study of languages for specific purposes helps to increase their competitiveness both at national and international level. This paper presents the design of a grammar-focused approach to languages for specific purposes included in several student’s books written for teaching English and Italian for Civil Engineering and Civil Services in a Romanian technical university. The main goal is that of taking learners from intermediate to upper intermediate level, by meeting the functional notional requirements of teaching at CEFR levels B1/+B1. The selection of teaching materials follows the modular approach, which enables students to deal with topics in depth, allowing for simultaneously developing and testing of various components in independently prepared and self-contained units, which are combined to form a comprehensive an up-to-date coverage of grammar. They intend to offer a new approach to learning by presenting the information primarily from an insider’s viewpoint. Another important quality is that of focusing grammar-related topics on real-life professional experience and on the way technology shapes daily life in today’s multicultural societies. The focus on language is achieved by subdividing the materials into units which develop students’ understanding of grammar. As well as trying to provide refreshingly clear and original explanations, the teaching materials include practical ideas for planning lessons and address typical problems that the learner might encounter. This innovative approach to grammar opens doors on foreign language for a broader range of learners, nurturing self-confidence and providing exposure to an extremely well-focused use of the language, which is of particular interest in vocational settings. This approach is successful in enhancing the learning of English and Italian, as well as in developing in the young professionals a positive ‘can do’ attitude towards themselves as language learners.

Keywords:

Languages for specific purposes, language learning materials, focus on language, grammar-related topics, real-life professional experience.