The Global Engineer’s English Toolkit: Technical, Academic, Digital, Intercultural

This new course is offered every summer semester to engineering students of all disciplines at the University of Siegen. It replaces the previous courses “Technical English for Mechanical Engineering Students” and “Technical English for Electrical Engineering Students.”

Students on the following degree programs have taken the course in previous semesters:

B.Sc. (Digital Engineering) in Electrical Engineering
B.Sc. (Digital Engineering) Mechanical Engineering
B.Sc. (Digital Engineering) in Mechatronics
M.Sc. in Business and Industrial Engineering
M.Sc. in HCI

"The Global Engineer’s English Toolkit: Technical, Academic, Digital, Intercultural"is designed on students in engineering programs at the B2 level who want to communicate effectively in today’s international, digitally connected workplace. The course combines technical, academic, digital, and intercultural skills and prepares engineers to work confidently across borders and disciplines.

The course is divided into two parts, with each part earning 3 ECTS credits upon successful completion. The following options are available:

Part I only for 3 ECTS
Part I + Part II for 6 ECTS

Students on the HCI program may choose to register for Part I only or for both parts. Students on (Digital) Electrical Engineering or (Digital) Mechanical Engineering must take both parts in accordance with their examination regulations (PO).

Please note that the course is offered only in the summer semester. However, it is possible to take Part I and Part II in different summer semesters.

Please also check with your examinations office to find out how many ECTS credits are required for your degree program.

Part I: Technical and Digital Workplace Communication

Participants develop basic communication skills for the workplace through hands-on activities such as video conferencing, phone calls, email correspondence, and web chats. At the same time, the course covers elements of the hiring process, including résumé, job interviews, and onboarding. Industry-focused online activities and collaborative digital tools build participants’ confidence in explaining technical concepts in English and interacting with global engineering teams. Classes are held online via Zoom; exams are typically administered in person at the Language Center.

The following exam tasks are included in this course:

a video assignment completed together with another participant
a writing assignment in collaboration with another participant
a final exam at the end of the semester, covering listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and writing

Part I takes place online via Zoom and Moodle on Fridays during the semester (2 SWS with Mr. Shillington).

Part II: Intercultural project presentation

Participants develop their academic skills for research and publication purposes, including the study of academic integrity (citation, avoiding plagiarism, and the use of AI) and intellectual property for engineers. Participants also develop their intercultural competence and presentation skills by studying and delivering technical presentations.

At the beginning of Part II, a one-day in-person workshop takes place at the Language Center. Subsequently, in July and August, participants complete two online learning modules via Moodle and prepare a presentation that they will deliver in September together with another participant. Finally, they write a reflection essay on the presentation.

Part II takes place from July through September with Ms. Leek, both in person and via Moodle.