Book Review: A Useful Handbook for Professionals: a Review of Nitin and Mamata Bhatnagar’s Book Communicative English for Engineers and Professionals

Publisher: PearsonYear: 2010ISBN: 8131732045Pages: 312, paperback Price: INR 100.00 Review by Mithun Bhattacharjya Independent Scholar

Rapid developments in the field of Information and Communication Technologies in recent times have transformed the world altogether. The global has become local, and the local is now recognised globally. It is not an exaggeration to say that we now inhabit a ‘glocal’ world. Literally speaking ICT means the amalgamation of the two concepts: technology being harnessed to facilitate communication. To run a farm, an estate or a company we need to communicate and interact with people from different linguistic background. So, a common language as the medium of interaction is essential. It is needless to say that English enjoys this status. Effective and productive communication in English is the only key to success in the present globalised business world. So the technical institutes in India have included in their syllabus the programme of developing the communication skills of the budding engineers and professionals, especially because most of the students admitted to these institutes come from a vernacular background. So, the acquisition of the skills of English language, through proper methodology and use of technological support system, to make them adapt to the global standards, is urgent. And to cater to this need there are so many help books in the market.

Nitin and Mamata Bhatnagar’s Communicative English for Engineers and Professionals is such a guide book for them. The target readers of the book, as expounded in the title, are the upcoming engineers and professionals. It covers the syllabi of B.Tech, BE, B.Com, M.Com, BBA, MBA, Hospitality, B.Pharma, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and other courses being taught at various universities, and professional and technical institutions.  The book deals with the theoretical assumptions of effective communication, and shows the practical ways of attaining them as well. The writers have tried to elucidate their points by including relevant charts and illustrations. As the book is written following the formula of ‘how to become…’, it is very important to arrange the chapters of the book  in the right order. It goes to the credit of the authors that they have arranged their arguments judiciously enough which will make the readers move from one chapter to another effortlessly. The book has been divided into ten chapters.

The chapters include both functional grammar which is the soul of a language and certain professional, job-oriented issues such as the strategies for preparation for an interview or group discussion. It has also two separate chapters dedicated to speaking and written skills respectively have been discussed. In both cases the authors have kept in mind the specific need of the professional world, and have given sample illustration. The second chapter is particularly important because it narrates how the use of technology in developing language skills. It delineates the usefulness of CALL or Computer Aided Learning of Language, the effectiveness ‘group learning’ using Multimedia Language Laboratory etc.

The book is in congruity with what it claims to be its objectives. It is obvious that the authors are familiar with the recent trends of research and technical innovations in the field. It is certainly not a pioneering or classic book of its type, but it will cater to the need of the students to a great extent. The book could have been made even better if there were more situation oriented sample illustrations. Still, it might be a good handbook for those who aspire to acquire proficiency in communicative English, and to become successful professionals.