THE ROLE OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING PROFICIENCY IN SHAPING THE CAREERS OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS AT QUEST NAWAB-SHAH, PAKISTAN
Keywords:
Academic Performance, Career Advancement, Employability, Engineering Education, English-Speaking ProficiencyAbstract
This study investigates the role of English-speaking proficiency in building the careers of engineering students at Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan. Recognizing the increasing globalization of the engineering profession and the critical need for effective communication, this research seeks to understand how English language skills influence students’ performance, confidence, and employability within the engineering sector. The questionnaire was designed to assess students’ self-reported English-speaking proficiency, their perceptions of its importance, challenges they face in improving their skills, and the effectiveness of institutional language support programs. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 100 final-year students from the Civil and Electrical Engineering departments. The findings highlight that strong English-speaking skills significantly enhance students’ academic performance, boost confidence in technical discussions, and improve employability by meeting industry communication demands. Proficiency in English was identified as a critical factor influencing employability, with students acknowledging that effective communication skills improve their chances of securing internships and jobs in competitive engineering markets. The study also identifies key challenges, including limited practice opportunities and language anxiety, while suggesting practical strategies such as integrating more speaking activities, teacher support, and the use of language labs and online tools. The research underscores the critical importance of English proficiency for professional growth in the global engineering landscape.
Downloads
References
Alqahtani, M. (2021). Redefining English proficiency for 21st-century learners: A contextual perspective. International Journal of English Studies, 22(2), 15-29
Alqahtani, M. (2021). Redefining English proficiency for 21st-century learners: A contextual perspective. International Journal of English Studies, 22(2), 15-29.
Al-Seghayer, K. (2020). The impact of cultural awareness on English language proficiency: A comprehensive review. Journal of Language and Education, 6(3), 45-57.
Bilal, H. A., & Asghar, I. (2023, September). Acoustic Profiling of Central Vowels of PakistaniEnglish: Describing the Nativised Variety. In Linguistic Forum–A Journal of Linguistics (Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 64-78).
Budiman, A., & Liu, X. (2025). Beyond standard English: how Global Englishes enhances creativity, reduces language anxiety, and increases willingness to communicate. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1611630.
D.Gaikward, A. (July 2022). Role of English Language in The Sector of Engineering and Technology. International journal of research and analysis in science and technology, volume 2, Issue 4.
Farhan, M. (26 September 2021.). The Necessity of English Proficiency for Engineering. Academic Writing Assignment, Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Intelligent Electrical and Informatics Technology.
Farhan, M. (26 September 2021.). The Necessity of English Proficiency for Engineering. Academic Writing Assignment, Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Intelligent Electrical and Informatics Technology.
Gope, D., & Gope, A. (2022). Students and academicians’ views on the engineering curriculum and industrial skills requirement for a successful job career. Open Education Studies, 4(1), 173-186. https://doi.org/10.1515/edu-2022-0011.
Hameedullah Khan, T., Rafique, N., & Akhtar, E. N. (2025). Research methodology: A comprehensive study of theoretical and practical approaches. Center for Management Science Research, 3(3), 195–202
Hussain, K., Ali, F., & Anwar, M. (2020). The importance of English in technical communication: A case study of engineering students. Engineering Communication Quarterly, 18(1), 25-39.
Hynninen, N. (2025). The language of interaction in English as a lingua franca. In International Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. Elsevier Ltd.
Jenkins, J., & Leung, C. (2019). English proficiency in international higher education: Critical issues and debates. Journal of English as a Lingua Franca, 8(3), 231-248.
Kang, H. (2018). Exploring the role of English proficiency in collaborative professional environments. English for Specific Purposes, 52, 1-15.
Kang, H. (2022). A study on digital-based argumentative writing in English of South Korean university students (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London)).
Kurniawan, I. W. A. (2024). English language and its importance as global communication. Samā Jiva Jnānam (International Journal of Social Studies), 2(1), 51-57.
Lee, K. (2026). English language learning as a leisure activity among Korean older adults in lifelong education programs: A continuity theory perspective. Educational Gerontology, 1-21.
Mahboob, A., & Halai, A. (2013). Language issues in Pakistan’s higher education: A critical perspective. Asian Englishes, 15(2), 52-68.
Mammadova, R. (2026). English Terminology and Its Impact on Information Technology Development. EuroGlobal Journal of Linguistics and Language Education, 3(2), 34-41.
Miloš TASIĆ, Jelena DINIĆ, Dragoljub B. ĐORĐEVIĆ. (, 2020). Engineers’ Perception of the Importance of English in Their Professional and Academic Careers. The fifth international conference “mechanical engineering in xxi century”.
Qiu, X., & Yuan, R. (2025). English-medium instruction pedagogy in disciplinary classrooms. Routledge.
Rahman, A., & Iqbal, F. (2021). The impact of English skills on academic performance and career readiness of engineering students. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research, 14(1), 33-48.
Riaz, N., Tarar, A. H., Tarar, M. A., & Arif, M. (2025). Examining the employability of university graduates in Pakistan: A study of skills and competencies. International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin, 3(5), 93-113.
Rintaningrum, R. (2018). Investigating reasons why listening in English is difficult: voice from foreign. Asian EFL Journal, 20(11), 6-15.
Rintaningrum, R. (2018). Investigating Reasons Why Listening in English is Difficult: Voice from Foreign Language Learners. The Asian EFL Journal, 20(11).
Rup Narayan Shrestha1,, Bharat Raj Pahari 2 , Jai Raj Awasthi3. (2015). Impact of English on the Career of Engineering Students: A Brief Overview in G(local) Context. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 11(1): 182-188
Sadia, B., Memon, S., & Pathan, H. (2021). Investigating the relationship between English language proficiency and academic performance of engineering students in Mehran University Jamshoro, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 9(3), 515-525.
Shah, B. S., & Malik, M. A. (2023). Investigating the Impact of English Proficiency on Long-Term Academic and Professional Goals Among Engineering Students. South Asian Journal of Engineering Education, 12(3), 202-212.
Shah, S. R. A. (2025). Research Methods, Methodologies, and Paradigms: A Practical Guide to Research Design for Postgraduate Students. Journal of Social Sciences Research & Policy, 3(03), 388-406.
Shah, S. R. A. (2025). Research Methods, Methodologies, and Paradigms: A Practical Guide to Research Design for Postgraduate Students. Journal of Social Sciences Research & Policy, 3(03), 388-406.
Shahzad, A. (2013). The role of English in higher education in Pakistan: A review of the challenges and solutions. International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, 1(3), 12-22.
Shrestha, R. N., Awasthi, J. R., & Pahari, B. R. (2019). Impact of English language proficiency on the quality of job execution of engineers in and outside Nepal: A study at a glance. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 15(1), 250-256.
Simas, L. (2026). The Importance of English in Technical and Scientific Education.
Singh, A., & Abdullah, H. (2022). Overcoming language barriers in global engineering education: A case study. International Journal of Engineering and Linguistics, 15(6), 211–223.
Srinivas, A. (2023). English Communication Skills for Engineers. Central Asian Journal of Literature, Philosophy and Culture, 4(9), 158-193.
Tanveer, R., & Ijaz, S. (2020). English as a global engineering language: Perspectives from multinational organizations. International Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 12(5), 45-61.
Templer, W. (2019). English as a global skill: Revisiting linguistic and cultural dimensions. Language and Intercultural Communication, 19(4), 375-389.
Ullah, H., Babar, M. A. H., Shahbaz, B., & Ali, S. (2025). Initial Proficiency Levels and Failure Rates in English Language Learning: A Study of Secondary School Students in District Chiniot, Punjab, Pakistan. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(2), 774-788.
Wang, J., & Zhou, Z. (2023). English Proficiency and its Effect on Innovation and Research Capabilities of Engineering Students. Engineering and Technology Journal, 22(4), 125-139
Wu, J. F., & Tsai, H. L. (2024). Research trends in English as a medium of instruction: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 45(5), 1792-1811.
Zaman, H. (2014). English language teaching in Pakistani universities: A critical analysis. Journal of Linguistics and Language Teaching, 10(1), 75-93.
Zhang, Y. (2021). English proficiency as a driver of success in engineering education. Asian Journal of Engineering Studies, 10(4), 59–72.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Memoona Otho, Chanesar Khan, Anshrah Masroor, Uzma Mallah, Nadia Mallah, Mushtaque Ahmed Rahu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
