Applying Strategies in English Communication: A Case Study of Mechanical Engineering Students
Abstract
This study investigated the communication strategies employed by Mechanical Engineering students in English communication and explored the reasons underlying their strategy preferences. Using a qualitative case study design, the research involved 42 Mechanical Engineering students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta during the 2021/2022 academic year. The primary data were obtained from recorded conversations between the students and English-speaking foreigners, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with four selected participants to identify the reasons for strategy use. The analysis was based on the communication strategies taxonomy proposed by (Dörnyei & Lee Scott, 1997). The findings revealed that literal translation was the most frequently used communication strategy, accounting for 73 occurrences (21%) out of 352 identified communication traits. In contrast, word coinage, appeal for help, and clarification request were the least frequently used strategies, each appearing only once (0.2%). Interview results indicated that the dominance of literal translation was influenced by students’ limited vocabulary, insufficient grammatical knowledge, and reliance on their first language during communication. Meanwhile, the least-used strategies were associated with students’ lack of confidence and limited English comprehension. The study concludes that first-language influence plays a significant role in shaping communication strategy use among Mechanical Engineering students and highlights the need for explicit instruction on communication strategies in English language learning.
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