Learn English for Engineering with Cambridge English for Engineering: A Practical and Engaging Course
Cambridge English for Engineering: A Review
If you are an engineer, an engineering technician or a technical manager who needs to use English in your work, you might be interested in a course that can help you improve your professional communication skills and specialist English language knowledge. In this article, we will review one such course, called Cambridge English for Engineering, and see what it offers, who it is for, how to use it and where to find it.
cambridge english for engineering student's book pdf 20
What is Cambridge English for Engineering?
The aim and content of the course
Cambridge English for Engineering is a short self-study or classroom course (40-60 hours) that aims to develop the communication skills and specialist English language knowledge of engineering professionals, enabling them to communicate more confidently and effectively with colleagues and customers. The course covers high-priority language that is useful in any branch of engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.), such as procedures and precautions, monitoring and control, engineering design, technical problems and solutions, health and safety, testing and experiments, performance and suitability, etc. The course also covers relevant vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation in professional contexts.
The format and features of the course
Cambridge English for Engineering consists of a student's book with two audio CDs and a teacher's book. The student's book contains ten standalone units that cover topics common to all kinds of engineering. Each unit contains realistic listening activities based on authentic situations (such as safety meetings, project briefings and problem-solving discussions), situation-based speaking activities that allow learners to practise the language they have learned, engaging topics and articles that make learning interesting and motivating, and a glossary that explains key terms. The audio CDs contain recordings of native and non-native speakers of English in various accents. The teacher's book contains comprehensive teacher's notes with suggestions for additional activities, background information on engineering topics, answer keys and audioscripts.
Who is Cambridge English for Engineering for?
The target audience and level of the course
Cambridge English for Engineering is designed for engineers who need to use English in their work, whether they are working in their own country or abroad, whether they are dealing with native or non-native speakers of English, whether they are working in multinational companies or small firms. The course is suitable for learners who have an intermediate or upper-intermediate level of English (B1-B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference). The course does not require any specialist knowledge on the part of the teacher or the learner.
The benefits and challenges of the course
Cambridge English for Engineering has many benefits for learners who want to improve their professional communication skills and specialist English language knowledge. Some of these benefits are:
It helps learners to become familiar with and practise using the technical language they need for work.
It helps learners to develop their communicative ability within their professional field.
It helps learners to deal with various situations they may encounter at work, such as describing technical problems, suggesting solutions, working with drawings, discussing regulations, etc.
It helps learners to learn from authentic materials and real-life scenarios that reflect their work environment.
It helps learners to become more confident and effective in their communication with colleagues and customers.
However, Cambridge English for Engineering also has some challenges for learners who want to use it. Some of these challenges are:
It requires learners to have a good level of general English before they can use the course effectively.
It requires learners to be motivated and disciplined if they are using the course for self-study.
It requires learners to have access to a CD player or a computer with a CD-ROM drive if they want to use the audio CDs.
It requires learners to have internet access if they want to use the online resources and support.
How to use Cambridge English for Engineering?
Tips and suggestions for self-study
If you are working on your own, you can use Cambridge English for Engineering in any way that suits your needs and preferences. However, here are some tips and suggestions that might help you get the most out of the course:
Choose the unit that you want to study based on the topic that interests you or the language that you need to practise.
Work through the unit, doing the exercises and checking your answers in the answer key. Note any mistakes you make, and go back and listen or read again to help you understand what the problem was.
For the listening exercises, it is better to listen more than once and to look at the audioscript after the exercise so that you can read the language you have just heard.
For the speaking exercises, it is better to record yourself and listen to your own performance. You can compare your pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary with the model answers or the audioscript.
For the reading exercises, it is better to read the texts more than once and to look up any words or phrases that you do not understand in the glossary or a dictionary.
Review the language and vocabulary that you have learned regularly. You can use flashcards, quizzes or games to help you remember them.
Tips and suggestions for classroom use
If you are working with a teacher or a group of learners, you can use Cambridge English for Engineering as a supplementary course or as a main course. However, here are some tips and suggestions that might help you get the most out of the course:
Follow the teacher's instructions and guidance on how to use the course. The teacher may adapt or modify some of the activities or materials according to your needs and level.
Participate actively in the listening and speaking activities. Try to use the language and vocabulary that you have learned in the unit. Listen carefully to your teacher and your classmates. Give feedback and ask questions.
Work cooperatively with your classmates. You can learn from each other's experiences, opinions and knowledge. You can also help each other with difficulties or doubts.
Use the online resources and support that are available on the website www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforengineering. You can find engineering case studies, extra activities, links to useful websites and a forum where you can interact with other learners and teachers.
Where to find Cambridge English for Engineering?
The availability and price of the course
Cambridge English for Engineering is widely available in bookshops and online stores. You can also order it directly from Cambridge University Press or from their local distributors. The price of the course may vary depending on where you buy it, but it is usually around 20 pounds for the student's book with audio CDs and around 10 pounds for the teacher's book.
The online resources and support for the course
Cambridge English for Engineering has a dedicated website where you can find additional resources and support for the course. The website address is www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforengineering. On this website, you can find:
Engineering case studies that provide more information and practice on specific engineering topics related to each unit of the course.
Extra activities that provide more practice on vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills related to each unit of the course.
Links to useful websites that provide more information and resources on engineering topics, language learning, professional development, etc.
A forum where you can interact with other learners and teachers who are using Cambridge English for Engineering. You can ask questions, share opinions, exchange tips, etc.
Conclusion
A summary of the main points and recommendations
In this article, we have reviewed Cambridge English for Engineering, a course that can help engineering professionals improve their communication skills and specialist English language knowledge. We have seen what the course offers, who it is for, how to use it and where to find it. We have also given some tips and suggestions for self-study and classroom use. We recommend Cambridge English for Engineering to anyone who wants to communicate more confidently and effectively in their work as an engineer.
FAQs
What is the level of Cambridge English for Engineering?
Cambridge English for Engineering is suitable for learners who have an intermediate or upper-intermediate level of English (B1-B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference).
How long does it take to complete Cambridge English for Engineering?
Cambridge English for Engineering is a short self-study or classroom course (40-60 hours). You can do the units in any order you like and at your own pace.
What kind of engineering topics does Cambridge English for Engineering cover?
Cambridge English for Engineering covers topics common to all kinds of engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.), such as procedures and precautions, monitoring and control, engineering design, technical problems and solutions, health and safety, testing and experiments, performance and suitability, etc.
What kind of language skills does Cambridge English for Engineering develop?
Cambridge English for Engineering develops the communication skills and specialist English language knowledge of engineering professionals. It focuses on listening and speaking skills, but also provides practice on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading and writing skills.
Where can I find more resources and support for Cambridge English for Engineering?
You can find more resources and support for Cambridge English for Engineering on the website www.cambridge.org/elt/englishforengineering. You can find engineering case studies, extra activities, links to useful websites and a forum where you can interact with other learners and teachers. 71b2f0854b