Enhancing belonging and vocabulary learning through an interactive engineering map

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1701

Keywords:

transnational education, vocabulary acquisition, technology-enhanced learning, engineering education, English for Academic Purposes

Abstract

Our project focuses on developing an interactive engineering map to support students at the Southwest Jiaotong University–Leeds Joint School (SWJTU-Leeds) in China. While these students study on SWJTU’s Chengdu campus and learn through English-Medium Instruction (EMI), they graduate with degrees from both SWJTU and the University of Leeds. The resource aims to foster a sense of belonging to Leeds while enhancing vocabulary acquisition.

With the assistance of our Digital Education Enhancement (DEE) Team, we decided to use an emerging technology to create our interactive map. Our first prototype used ThingLink, which allowed us to use 360° images of Leeds landmarks, introducing students to the city alongside vocabulary from the Academic Word List (Coxhead, 2000) and Engineering Word Lists (Mudraya, 2006; Ward, 2009; Todd, 2016). However, when we tried to pilot our resource with students in China, ThingLink was inaccessible. We then turned to Articulate Storyline, which had similar functionality but was easily accessed from China. 

The first completed case study focused on Bridgewater Place in Leeds, exploring an engineering issue tied to the building. Students interacted with the resource through 360° visuals, videos, and interactive exercises that reinforced vocabulary learning. 

The resource will be used in the Year 1 English module, with some case studies integrated into the curriculum and others for self-study. Collaboration with engineers from Electronic and Electrical Engineering is underway to create a new case study on solar panels. 

Author Biographies

Samantha Wilson, University of Leeds

Samantha Wilson is an EAP lecturer at University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She leads a pre-sessional module for postgraduate business students, and co-leads XJFY0100 English for Engineering, the Year 1 EAP module for SWJTU – Leeds Joint School with Alister Drury. Her research currently centres on sense of belonging in transnational education.

Alister Drury

Alister Drury is an EAP lecturer at University of Leeds. He co-leads XJFY0100 English for Engineering as well as a pre-sessional module for postgraduate STEM students. His research interests are currently focussed on academic and disciplinary vocabulary.

Costas Loizou, University of Leeds

Costas Loizou is a Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy teaching for the SWJTU-Leeds Joint School. He leads the Mathematics module and leads and developed the Scientific Problem Solving module for Year 1 of the Joint School. His pedagogic research is on Language-Focused Inclusive STEM Education.

References

Coxhead, A. (2000) ‘A new academic wordlist’, TESOL Quarterly, 34(2), pp. 213–238. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/3587951

Mudraya, O. (2006) ‘Engineering English: a lexical frequency instructional model’, English for Specific Purposes, 25(2), pp.235–256. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2005.05.002

Ward, J. (2009) ‘A basic engineering English word list for less proficient foundation engineering undergraduates’, English for Specific Purposes, 28(3), pp. 170–182. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2009.04.001

Watson Todd, R. (2016) ‘An opaque engineering word list: Which words should a teacher focus on?’, English for Specific Purposes, 45, pp. 31–39. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2016.08.003

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

Wilson, S., Drury, A., & Loizou, C. (2025). Enhancing belonging and vocabulary learning through an interactive engineering map. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (37). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1701

Issue

No. 37 (2025): Special Edition, ALDinHE Conference Proceedings and Reflections

Section

Conference Proceedings

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