This study investigates how Design Engineering students at the Valencian Polytechnic University in Spain perceive the use of Google Docs as a collaborative tool for enhancing their written competence in English as a Foreign Language (EFL), specifically in the context of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The research focuses on fourth-year students enrolled in Design Engineering courses during the 2020-2021 academic year. Using a qualitative approach, 14 students participated in structured collaborative writing tasks facilitated through Google Docs, allowing them to engage in real-time peer interactions and shared editing, which aimed to simulate professional collaborative writing environments.

Data collection was conducted via a Google Forms questionnaire, designed to capture student perspectives on various aspects of their experience with collaborative writing. Key dimensions explored included perceived improvement in written language accuracy, ability to communicate technical ideas clearly, and the development of organizational skills essential for effective collaboration. The results reveal that a significant proportion of participants expressed high levels of satisfaction, highlighting improvements not only in their language skills but also in their teamwork and organizational capabilities. Specifically, 64.3% of the participants believed that using Google Docs positively influenced their ESP writing development, with many noting enhanced confidence in producing clear, professionally relevant documentation in English.

These findings underscore the potential of online collaborative tools to support language learning within specialized fields, suggesting that Google Docs, in particular, facilitates skill development by promoting a structured yet flexible space for language practice. The study concludes by advocating for further exploration into how such tools might benefit other areas of language learning and how they could be integrated into diverse educational contexts to foster collaborative, skills-based language acquisition.

Keywords: English as a Foreign Language, English for Specific Purposes, Google Docs, Collaborative Writing, Written Competence, Design Engineering.