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English for STEM: Understanding Technology Vocabulary

Advance your English language skills as you learn the vocabulary to help you discuss and understand technology topics.

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The CPD Certification Service

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies. Find out more.

Develop your English language skills alongside experts in technology

This three-week course from the Macquarie University EMI Centre will help you improve your English language ability as you develop your understanding of concepts in data science, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications.

You’ll be presented with key technology vocabulary and learn the pronunciation, word form, and use to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the topics you’re learning.

You’ll explore the data science process and linear regression in preparation for data science, examine facial recognition technology and how it is used as you learn about artificial intelligence, and learn about networks and IP addresses in telecommunications.

Explore topics to advance your language skills

You’ll learn from materials designed to help you, as an English language learner, to develop an understanding of technology vocabulary to aid your future studies.

You’ll look at different word forms (noun, verb, adjective, adverb), listen to the pronunciation and identify the stressed syllable. You’ll learn about strategies for recording and revising new vocabulary and use interactive tools (like Quizlet) to do this.

Improve your academic skills to help you study technology in English

To help you prepare for studying in English, you’ll develop the important academic skill of participating in discussions by learning language for giving opinions, clarifying information, and asking and answering questions.

Learn from the experts at Macquarie University

Throughout the course, you’ll have frequent opportunities to practise your new language skills and use this key vocabulary in context.

Guided by a language trainer and a technology trainer from Macquarie University EMI centre, you’ll finish the course with the confidence to use technology vocabulary in real-life settings.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Do you want to get ahead on English preparation for your studies and career? Sign up for Macquarie University’s ‘English for STEM’ series on FutureLearn. Improve your English so that you can study or teach science, technology, engineering or maths. STEM content specialists and English language trainers will help you develop language and skills to succeed in your studies. The course makes learning fun with STEM videos, quizzes, pronunciation practice, and interactive language tools. You’ll also learn about listening to lectures, giving presentations, and participating in discussions. Prepare for success with the Macquarie University EMI Centre’s ‘English for STEM’ series. Now available on Futurelearn.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Data Science

    • Welcome to English for STEM: Technology

      In this section, you will meet your language trainer and technology trainer. You will also learn how to use Quizlet to record and practise new vocabulary.

    • Introduction to Data Science

      In this section, you will learn some basic English vocabulary relating to data science generally as well as the data science process. You will also have the chance to practise and record the new vocabulary.

    • Reading Practice

      In this section, you will read text about linear regression and answer some questions. You will also learn about articles (a, an, the and zero) in the context of data science.

    • Academic Skill: Tutorials

      In this section, you will learn about tutorial discussions and some of the language used to give opinions, agree and disagree during these discussions.

    • Conclusion

      In this section, you will review some of the language you have learnt this week and look at a summary of what you have covered during the week.

  • Week 2

    Artificial Intelligence

    • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

      In this section, you will learn some basic English vocabulary relating to artificial intelligence generally and the topic of facial recognition technology. You will also have the chance to practise and record the new vocabulary.

    • Reading Practice

      In this section, you will read text about the use of facial recognition technology in police work and answer some questions. You will also learn about using present simple and past simple in the context of artificial intelligence.

    • Academic Skill: Tutorials

      In this section, you will learn about spoken clarification and some of the language used to ask for and give clarification during tutorial discussions.

    • Conclusion

      In this section, you will review some of the language you have learnt this week and look at a summary of what you have covered during the week.

  • Week 3

    Telecommunications

    • Introduction to Telecommunications

      In this section, you will learn some basic English vocabulary relating to telecommunications generally and the topic of networks. You will also have the chance to practise and record the new vocabulary.

    • Reading Practice

      In this section, you will read a text about IP addresses and answer some questions. You will also learn about the form and use of present simple questions in the context of telecommunications.

    • Academic Skill: Tutorials

      In this section, you will learn about spoken clarification and some of the language used to ask for and give clarification during tutorial discussions.

    • Conclusion

      In this section, you will review some of the language you have learnt this week and look at a summary of what you have covered during the week.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop key English vocabulary for Technology
  • Apply strategies for recording and revising new vocabulary
  • Interpret written and visual texts on different technology topics
  • Improve your academic skills for studying in English

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who is going to be studying an area of technology and would like to develop their English language ability.

It will be most useful for learners who have an A2/B1 level of English (pre-intermediate).

Who will you learn with?

English Language Teacher at Macquarie University College. Cambridge CELTA. Over 10 years' teaching experience in Spain, Belgium and Australia.

Information Communication Technology teacher at Macquarie University College. PhD and MRes in AI and BSc in Software Engineering. Over 14 years' teaching and working in industry in Australia and Iran.

Who developed the course?

Macquarie University

Macquarie University aspires to be a different type of university: one focused on fostering collaboration between students, academics, industry and society. Ranked in the top 1% of Universities globally, Macquarie is recognised for producing graduates who are among the most sought after professionals in the world.

  • Established

    1964
  • Location

    Sydney, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 200Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

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  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
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