English as a lingua franca for mechanical engineering in Algeria : a status quo

Abstract EN

This article discusses the general background of English as Lingua Franca in the field of mechanical engineering teaching in an Algerian context.

The emphasis is made on the content teachers' perspectives on the significance of English as a useful tool for the world of employment and on the strategies used to raise their learners' awareness about English learning.

For this purpose, a questionnaire was handed to 18 content teachers in three different university departments.

The key findings have demonstrated that English as a Lingua Franca is a powerful tool for the world of mechanical engineering field.

Subject specialists play also a key-role in reinforcing the learners' positive attitudes to learn English for Specific Purposes.