English Language Incompetence among Engineering Students: Causes and Remedies

English language proficiency plays a crucial role in the academic and professional success of engineering students, especially in a globalized job market where effective communication is a key skill. Despite its importance, a large number of engineering students continue to exhibit incompetence in English, adversely affecting their academic performance, placement opportunities, and confidence. This paper examines the underlying causes of English language incompetence among engineering students, focusing on data collected from 240 students across four engineering colleges: DACOE, Government Engineering College, Karad, Yashoda Technical Campus, Satara KBP Engineering College, Satara and Arvind Gavali College, Satara. The research employs a structured questionnaire to assess students' abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, as well as their exposure to English and their attitudes toward learning the language. The analysis reveals that factors such as poor foundational education in English, lack of exposure outside the classroom, teacher-centered methods, limited use of interactive learning tools, and socio-economic background significantly contribute to students’ inability to use English effectively. Furthermore, psychological factors such as fear of judgment, low motivation, and lack of self-confidence also hinder progress.