VietTESOL International Convention 2026

Preparing engineering graduates for an increasingly global workforce requires stronger connections between English language education and industry needs. This presentation examines the role of industry partners in a Training of Trainers (ToT) program developed under the NeoTECH English Works project co-hosted by Regional English Language Office, U.S Embassy and Hanoi University of Industry to support English and content lecturers in 10 Vietnamese institutions in designing industry-informed English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses. The ToT brought together university lecturer and employer representatives to explore workplace communication needs, authentic technical contexts, and the integration of employability skills into English language teaching. Industry partners shared insights into the communication competencies and professional skills expected in job interviews and engineering workplaces, helping participants develop more authentic, workplace-oriented learning activities and curriculum ideas. The presentation reports findings from the post-survey that examined participants’ perceptions of industry engagement, the relevance of employer contributions, and their confidence in applying industry-informed approaches to curriculum development. The survey results suggest that direct interaction with employers enhanced lecturers’ understanding of workplace expectations and strengthened their capacity to design ESP learning experiences that better prepare students for professional communication. The presentation also discusses the implications of these findings for university–industry collaboration and argues that structured employer engagement in the NeoTECH English Works project development can play a significant role in improving the relevance and responsiveness of English language education for engineering disciplines.