Integrated Art and ESP Project in Ukraine

Abstract

Abstract—The article describes an integrated art and English project for specific purposes on the topic “Academic Conferences” used for teaching future Ukrainian engineers in the winter of 2022. The project finished right before the war in Ukraine began. The sample size included 90 third-course future chemical engineers who study English for specific purposes. This study investigated the benefits of the project for future engineers, the role of the art practices used, as well as students’ perceptions of the project. Online questionnaires, observations and interviews were used.  The results showed that the project improved students’ confidence in different conference-related skills and had a positive influence on the professional language skills development of future engineers. Art practices used in the project made learning memorable, contextualised and authentic. Art-related activities promoted professional communication and fostered the use of 21st-century skills such as cooperative, creative, critical and digital skills. The main hypothesis was supported and the project was effective due to the combination of project-based learning, art enhancement and integration, and specially chosen job-related art and ESP connections. The findings indicate an overwhelmingly positive response from the learners about this project and their interest in future art and ESP integrated projects. However, the study also revealed that students need additional support for developing XX cooperative, time management and writing skills as well as for working with authentic materials.