Technical English (I)
Instructor: Kai-Yew Lum 林繼耀
Thursday 3pm – 6pm
Course in Technical English (I)
• Objective:
To be able to read & write technical statements in
English.
• Why?
English is the most widely used language of science &
technology.
• How?
Focus on English usage
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–
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Sentence structure
Basic grammar (and grammatical errors)
Common types of scientific statements
A lot of practice!
Course in Technical English (I)
• What about vocabulary ???
– Vocabulary for reading: dictionary/WWW to the rescue
– Vocabulary for writing:
• There are specialized words/phrases in your area of study.
• Use the simplest vocabulary to communicate your ideas.
• A simple truth about learning a language …..
Course in Technical English (I)
• Main materials:
John M. Swales.
Writing Scientific English: a textbook of English as a foreign
language for students of physical and engineering sciences.
Publisher: London , Nelson, 1971. ISBN: 0175550174.
• Other books that may help you:
– 偷看大師的英文筆記：80/20法則聰明K單字
作者: 成重壽 / 鳥千鶴子
– 專門替中國人寫的英文基本文法 = Basic English grammar
作者:李家同, 海柏(Patricia Haseltine)
Course in Technical English (I)
1)
Introduction to scientific statements.
2)
Revision of grammar: word forms (nouns, adjectives,
adverbs).
3)
Dimensions, properties and comparisons.
4)
Impersonal statements - the passive form.
5)
Compound (two-verb) statements - relative clauses.
6)
Scientific statements in the past – the past simple and
present perfect.
7)
Revision of grammar: articles (a, an, the).
8)
Descriptions: experiments, tables and graphs.
Core Competency 核心能力
• 具備電機工程專業領域及背景知識
EE domain & background knowledge
• 具備探索新知與解決問題的能力
Continued learning and problem solving
• 具備獨立研究、撰寫論文與研發創新之能力
Independent research and development
• 培養團隊合作熱誠與領導統御之能力
Team work and leadership
• 掌握國際趨勢具全球化競爭挑戰能力
Global competitiveness
• 具備專業倫理道德及社會責任認知
Social ethics and moral duties
Course Map
About Myself
Name: Kai-Yew Lum 林繼耀
Born: Singapore
Languages used during my education & work:
• Primary and middle schools (Singapore): Chinese
• High school (Singapore): English
• 1ST degree (France): French
• Master and Ph.D. (USA): English
• Work (Singapore): English
At home: 廣東話
Administrative Matter
• Thursday 3pm-4pm: Electronics group電子組
• Thursday 4pm-5pm: Systems group 系統組
• Thursday 5pm-6pm: Communications Group 通訊組
– Too late?
• Choices:
1.
2.
3.
•
Split the Communications group into two groups.
Move the Communications group to another day.
Any other suggestions?
Assessment:
1.
2.
Homework
Pop quiz