Use of images to develop students’ written expression at the University of Holguin

Abstract

A study was carried out to critically evaluate the use of images in the development of written expression in third year mechanical students at the faculty of engineering with the aim of elaborating a set of exercises to develop this skill. Up-to-date literature was reviewed and information on the use of images was analyzed appropriately according to the most important information taken from the sources. Several methods such as observation, interview, historical-logical, analysis and synthesis were used. A high number of spelling and syntax mistakes, problems in selecting appropriate lexis corresponding to level A2, difficulties in using simple expressions and phrases to describe situations in everyday life, at school, in the family or related to the future profession,  the need to incorporate vocabulary and grammatical aspects in order to improve their paragraphs and to be able to write in other contexts outside school and low levels of motivation towards language learning in correspondence with the demands that this level of education poses and the challenges that the current reality imposes for future professional development were found. It was recommended the use of the set of exercises in the first years of the engineering courses.