In order to maintain a competitive edge in a quickly changing industry, automotive companies in China partner with local and international universities to provide continuous training for their engineers. This case study presents an English needs analysis of Chinese automotive engineers who participate in a professional development program offered by a partner US university. Through interviews, surveys, and observation of key stakeholders, this study identified the language skills that the stakeholders perceived to be important and difficult and the English tasks that the engineers faced during their six months of graduate coursework, six months of internship, and in their jobs. Findings showed that listening and speaking were perceived as most difficult and important. Identified academic tasks included writing reports, participating in group discussion, listening to lectures, and giving presentations. Internship and work related tasks included discussing technical issues, writing emails and reports, giving introductions, and shadowing a mentor. Considering these needs, recommendations are presented for revisions to the curriculum of the English for Specific Purposes course which is provided to the cohorts of engineers in this study.
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