CHENNAI : The vice-chancellor of Anna University, D. Viswanathan, released a textbook of English for engineers and technologists here on Friday evening.

The textbook was first published as part of a project conceived around 20 years ago by the department of humanities and social sciences at Anna University.

The two-part book for first year engineering students has been published as a single book for the new edition and is part of the prescribed syllabus for students at the University and affiliated colleges.

Speakers said that the book represented Anna University's early concern for improving the communication skills of its students. "The book recognises students as having views and opinions of their own and not as locked into a system with no choices," said Usha Aroor, director, Orient Longman, "It provides a student-centred skill based approach to learning language."

English is presented to students of technology in familiar, professional contexts using topic areas like energy, computers, transport and communication instead of the traditional prose and poetry.

The presentation was flexible to adapt to different levels of learner knowledge, said Premalatha Rajan, head, department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Anna University.

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