Course detail

English for Engineering

FEKT-BPC-EFEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course English for Engineers is designed to develop students’ reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills within a technical context. It emphasizes the acquisition of professional terminology and communicative functions, including defining technical terms, discussing facts, describing processes and complex mechanisms, and explaining causes and effects. The course also includes persuasive communication aimed at technical audiences. The syllabus covers key topics, including materials, electric current, electronic components, electrical measurements, electric motors, automation, robotics, power engineering, and telecommunications. Through focused units and communicative and task-based approaches, students gain both language proficiency at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the ability to effectively communicate in academic and professional environments.

Language of instruction

Czech, English

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Ing. Eva Ellederová, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Foreign Languages (UJAZ)

Entry knowledge

Language proficiency at the level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To be eligible for admission to the exam, students must meet the following criteria: have at least 75% attendance, actively participate in classes, complete all assigned tasks, and pass a credit test. The credit test requires a minimum score of 24 points out of a possible 40 points.

Course Assessment in Points:

  • Credit test: Technical Terminology (max. 40 points, cut-off score 24 pts). Students lose 1/3 point for each incorrect answer. Only one resit is permitted for the credit test.
  • Exam: Listening (max. 30 pts, cut-off score 15 pts), Reading (max. 30 pts, cut-off score 15pts)

The content and forms of instruction and assessment are specified by a regulation issued by the course supervisor and updated for every academic year.

Aims

The objectives and output requirements for the course graduates are formulated at the B2 level (Vantage) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) aimed at professional English language in the field of electrical engineering and communication technology.

Speaking:

A course graduate can
- interact effectively on a range of topics within their field and address specific problems in spoken interaction;
- substantiate their opinions with evidence, negotiate with colleagues, and interact effectively to reach a consensus;
- describe and give effective instructions about specific processes and methods within their field; 
- interpret data spontaneously and share their understanding precisely and concisely in spoken production.

Listening:
A course graduate can
- understand extended, well-structured speech and lectures, and follow potentially complex arguments and counterarguments;
- identify and refer to specific points made in someone else's speech.

Reading:
A course graduate can
- find the answers to specific questions in texts on familiar but complex topics from the field of electrical engineering and communication technology;
- read technical documentation, scientific books, articles and reviews;
- follow potentially complex arguments and counter-arguments.

Study aids

Ellederová, E. (2025). English for Electrical Engineering. Vysoké učení technické v Brně.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Ellederová, E. (2025). English for Electrical Engineering. Vysoké učení technické v Brně. (CS)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPC-APE Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Ing. Eva Ellederová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introductory Lesson
  2. Electrical Engineering, Its Disciplines and History; Technical Definitions
  3. Materials In Electrical Engineering; Talking about Facts and Describing Processes
  4. Electric Current, Voltage, Resistance and Power; Use of “Electric,” “Electrical” and “Electronic”
  5. Electronic Components; Describing Functionality and Connections
  6. Electrical Measurements Laboratory; Giving Instructions
  7. Electric Motors; Verbs with Prefixes
  8. Electric Vehicles, Automation and Robotics; Describing Complex Mechanisms
  9. Power Engineering; Comparing Hydroelectric, Wind and Solar Power Plants
  10. Telecommunications and Networking; Persuading the Technical Audience
  11. Structured In-Class Debates on Current Topics in the Field of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technology
  12. Revision Lesson