Teaching Digital Control through English-Medium Instruction (EMI): A Pedagogical Innovation and Internationalization Experience
Sergio Pires Pimentel
Poster #13
Teaching Digital Control through English-Medium Instruction (EMI): A Pedagogical Innovation and Internationalization Experience
Sergio Pires Pimentel
Comments
16 responses to “Poster #13”
I found this experience particularly interesting because it demonstrates how internationalization can be integrated into engineering education in a practical and accessible way. As a professor, it encouraged me to reflect on the value of exposing students to technical content in English while maintaining a supportive learning environment. Congratulations to the author for this innovative contribution to both engineering education and internationalization.
Muito bom o trabalho e a iniciativa do autor. Pois no ensino superior, a necessidade da internacionalização do conhecimento vem se tornando essencial para que o profissional exerça sua função. Muito pertinente a atenção em preparar o estudante para esse cenário universalizado, que requer o domínio do idioma predominantemente vigente.
O relato demonstra a viabilidade do ensino de Controle Digital em inglês sem prejuízo aparente à aprendizagem técnica. A experiência foi realizada nos semestres 2023/1 e 2025/2, com turmas de 21 e 11 estudantes, respectivamente, sem registro de reprovações. Entre os respondentes do questionário, 93,3% declararam disposição para cursar a disciplina em inglês e conforto para participar de atividades de internacionalização, enquanto 83,3% recomendariam a experiência aos colegas. A ampliação da amostra e o acompanhamento longitudinal poderão confirmar esses resultados exploratórios e avaliar com maior precisão a evolução da proficiência técnica e linguística.
Parabéns Prof. Sérgio em compartilhar sua experiência vivencial na oferta de disciplina de graduação que incorpora a utilização de lingua estrangeira.
Achei uma experiência muito válida, principalmente por inserir o inglês de forma prática dentro de uma disciplina técnica. Além de trabalhar o conteúdo de Controle Digital, a iniciativa aproxima os estudantes da linguagem utilizada em artigos, eventos e ambientes profissionais internacionais. Os resultados apresentados mostram uma boa aceitação por parte dos alunos. Parabéns!
I found the use of English as the medium for teaching a technical subject such as Digital Control very interesting. It creates an opportunity for students to develop language skills while working with content that is directly related to their professional education. I also found it interesting that students reported greater confidence in their English proficiency after the course. In my view, experiences like this can make internationalization a more natural part of Engineering education rather than something separate from the regular curriculum.
Dear Professor Leonardo, thank you very much for your thoughtful comment. I am glad the experience could contribute to the discussion on internationalization and English-medium instruction in engineering education.
Dear Dr. Luiza, thank you so much for your words! I completely agree that internationalization is becoming increasingly relevant in higher education, and I believe that exposing students to English within their technical education can be a practical way to prepare them for a more globally connected professional environment.
Dear Professsor Marlipe, thank you for your careful reading and for highlighting these aspects of the results. I fully agree that further offerings, larger samples, and longitudinal studies will be valuable to deepen our understanding of the experience. I have received some students demands, and I’m planning to offer this course in 2027!
Professor Marcos, thank you very much for your kind words and for taking the time to engage with the experience. It is a pleasure to share it here and among all the ICAEEdu community.
Dear Professor Gerson, thank you very much! One of the main motivations for the initiative was precisely to bring English closer to students’ everyday technical education, rather than treating it as something separate from their engineering training. I am glad that this connection with academic and professional contexts came across in the poster, and that the students’ positive perception was also highlighted.
Congratulations on implementing internationalization methods in specialized disciplines such as “Digital Control.” Although technical terminology is traditionally taught and best mastered in one’s native language, innovations in almost every field emerge in English. Scientific literature, operating manuals, international trade fairs, and global companies are increasingly becoming standard sources of information and environments for professional practice. Instruction in English – particularly in specialized technical disciplines like “Digital Control” – removes barriers to students’ future career success. This inevitably makes the university a preferred choice for both prospective students and companies. The research presented here highlights the experience of Prof. Sergio Pimentel, as well as his valuable contribution to the educational process and the competitiveness of his students.
I congratulate the author on the great presentation and on the relevance of their work to Engineering Education.
Bastante interessante a metodologia proposta pela experiência; ou seja, a internacionalização do estudante em face dos desafios contemporâneos acadêmicos e mercadológicos.
Parabéns, profº Sergio pela excelente apresentação! A iniciativa de aplicar a EMI numa disciplina tão técnica como Controle Digital é um passo fantástico para a internacionalização da formação em engenharia. Expor os estudantes ao inglês e à terminologia técnica sem comprometer a sua aprendizagem disciplinar é fundamental para prepará-los para os desafios do mercado global e de novas tecnologias. Excelente trabalho!
Prof. Dr. Sérgio Pimentel, congratulations for the EMI as a pedagogical innovation and internationalization experience! You are the man!