All Engineering Centre for Languages & Inter-Communication courses

This intensive course is designed for students who have very limited or no previous knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL). The course aims to enable students to understand and use BSL effectively for purposes of practical communication with deaf or hard of hearing people, to develop understanding of the BSL sentence syntax and to learn more about a Deaf Culture.

• If you are not sure whether this course suits your proficiency level, please contact the instructor for more information (fyh20@cam.ac.uk).

The course uses "Chinese in Steps", a series of textbooks developed within SOAS Language Centre. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation. Exact content will be decided with students.

The course uses "Chinese in Steps", a series of textbooks developed within SOAS Language Centre. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

Introductory course to Chinese. This course is for those with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

Please note: This course will be class room based/face to face teaching at CUED.

“Pronouncing someone’s name correctly can make people feel valued, honoured and respected — and mispronouncing their name creates real problems.” Gerardo Ochoa

This session will explore Chinese names. How to pronounce them. What it says about the person. The stories behind names. The focus will be on pronunciation but you will also be welcome to share your own experience and tell your stories.

We will focus on how to overcome listening difficulties using authentic video and audio Engineering scenarios.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.

We will focus on refining participants' language for correspondence, focusing on native-speakers norms and choice of words as well as register for formal versus casual correspondence

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

Maximise your supervisions, as students and/or supervisors, by discussing the language, structure and style of effective Cambridge supervisions.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.

Come to this talk on Cambridge to find out more about the city's past and present and understand the context in which you live. Bring your questions.

Living in Britain

This online seminar focuses on any questions participants may have about aspects of living in Britain that are of particular interest to them, whether cultural, intercultural, historical or social.

It discusses practical everyday issues that participants may already have encountered, both within the University environment and in the wider community, and also possible situations that they may be concerned about dealing with in the future.

This is a very relaxed and informal seminar which will be conducted on a Q+A basis, and participants should email their questions or areas of interest in advance to Sheila Dodds (smd48@cam.ac.uk).

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.
• Delivery format (online or in person) to be confirmed.

Discover a bit more of Cambridge each term. Meet a member of our English team in CLIC and then take a guided walk to learn about different aspects of the city.

Session 1: Outline of the Lab

• Intro to the Falling Walls concept/background. Rules of the competition. Past Examples. Suggestions for basic structure. Elements of a successful 3 Minute Pitch, with appropriate visual materials. Next Steps.

Session 2: Targeted Training

• Defining requirements. Identifying suitable topic. Vocal delivery, content selection and presentation, body language tips. Key linguistic strategies. Tricks for your 3 PPTs.

Introductory course to French. This course is for those with no previous knowledge of French. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

Introductory course to German. This course is for those with no previous knowledge of German. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

Interacting effectively & managing meetings: This interactive online workshop covers how to participate in and manage meetings effectively and productively.

In addition to being proficient communicators in academic settings, there is also a need for Engineers to further develop and diversify their communication skills to suit a range of professional settings (Almeida, 2019).

The Lent term masterclass series focuses on communicating with impact, adapting effectively to audiences across academic and professional settings and using business English successfully. This series consists of the following workshops:

• Successfully pitching your work
• Interacting effectively & managing meetings
• Presenting yourself successfully
• Negotiating with clients

Research has identified that the ability to verbally express ideas clearly and the capacity to work confidently in a group are the two key skills for employability. This series of workshops focuses on aspects of these skills most pertinent to Engineers at Cambridge.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

Negotiating with colleagues and clients: This interactive online workshop provides guidance and feedback on the language and strategies of successful negotiation.

In addition to being proficient communicators in academic settings, there is also a need for Engineers to further develop and diversify their communication skills to suit a range of professional settings (Almeida, 2019).

The Lent term masterclass series focuses on communicating with impact, adapting effectively to audiences across academic and professional settings and using business English successfully. This series consists of the following workshops:

• Successfully pitching your work
• Interacting effectively & managing meetings
• Presenting yourself successfully
• Negotiating with clients

Research has identified that the ability to verbally express ideas clearly and the capacity to work confidently in a group are the two key skills for employability. This series of workshops focuses on aspects of these skills most pertinent to Engineers at Cambridge.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This online interactive workshop provides guidance and feedback on sharing your research clearly and effectively in spontaneous and prepared situations.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This workshop provides strategies, tips and feedback on presenting yourself with maximum impact in spoken situations, with advice also provided for written self-presentations.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

“Global mindset,” “cultural intelligence,” “intercultural competence” … no matter how you want to call the skills that are necessary to successfully interact with people who might not see the world like you due to culture, geography, background, age or other factors, they are paramount in the industry.

Engineers need to be experts in their field (hard technical skills) but without the ability to influence, negotiate, build trust, lead, communicate ideas to different audiences (soft skills, also referred to as power skills in a recent report), projects have a much smaller chance of succeeding. When in an intercultural setting, have you ever struggled with your peers’ style of communication, wondered why some people seem to use more formal language, be more direct than others or perhaps less flexible with time than you are accustomed to? Culture plays a big part in how we communicate and enhancing communication is so much more than choosing to speak the same language.

In addition, remote learning mode brings further complications to the equation. The challenges of video conferencing such as the ‘zoom fatigue,’ the caveats of written communication (emails or text messages), or practicalities of working together across different time zones, add some extra pressure on the already vulnerable intercultural communication.

So you’ve mastered presenting to get your message across effectively...

But what if we told you that there was no guarantee that this message would work across different cultures?

There are different aspects you have to take into consideration when preparing to address diverse audiences, such as how they want to be persuaded, the appropriate style of the language to use and how to gain professional credibility in their eyes.

In our interactive session, we will share tools and techniques that will allow you to adapt your content and delivery style to the different needs and expectations of the diverse teams in the modern workplace. 

You will find out how to:

• Analyse your audience; • Structure your presentation in an easy-to-follow way; • Adapt your content (language, references, examples, types of evidence, visuals) to communicate your message to a diverse audience; • Use your voice to help your audience better understand the content and follow it with ease.

Join this session to find out how to adapt your presentation style to be a more effective pre-senter in a culturally diverse work environment.

Further information: This course will be led by Gosia Syta. A brief bio can be found under the Trainer header below.

In today's rapidly changing world, we need a new mindset and specific skills to navigate new challenges caused by disruption. This workshop will address the qualities needed to thrive in 'the new normal'—a landscape defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). The secret is to turn challenges into opportunities, but how?

Join our workshop to:

• Gain a clear understanding of what VUCA is and explore practical ways to leverage it to your advantage.
• Identify the core skills necessary to navigate the VUCA environment successfully.
• Develop a practical plan tailored to your own growth and adaptation in this in this dynamic environment.

Learn how to navigate the complexities of today's world - join us for an interactive online session on 1st November.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

In today's globalised world, effective communication in English transcends the boundaries of native and non-native speakers. It's a shared journey, and English-speaking individuals—whether native or proficient—have a pivotal role to play in fostering inclusivity.

Join our workshop to:

• Engage in an experiment highlighting the challenges of using English as a universal language of communication.
• Dive into the concept of accent bias.
• Develop a heightened cultural awareness of the subtle nuances between direct and indirect communication styles, and gain valuable tips and techniques to excel in international settings.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

Did you know that long before we developed languages, humans relied exclusively on non-verbal signals to understand each other? Even today, our unconscious brains are finely tuned to these cues, shaping our first impressions within seconds. Whether you're presenting, interviewing for a job, or working in a team, becoming aware of how you come across can be the key to success.

Join our workshop to:

• Gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of non-verbal communication.
• Explore how non-verbal cues vary across cultures and discuss different preferences.
• Discover the art of using body language to project confidence, build rapport, and increase your presence-both in physical and virtual interactions.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

Most students and researchers will experience culture shock in some form when interacting with people from all over the world in Cambridge. While we all speak the same language, the unwritten rules of social norms can make our interactions challenging. If you have recently moved to the UK, you might feel lost or disoriented. If you come from the UK but are not accustomed to interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, you might also struggle. International diversity is key to Cambridge's success, so embracing culture clash as part of the journey is important.

Join our workshop to:

• Gain a better understanding of the cultural integration process.
• Learn about culture shock and what you can do to navigate it.
• Discuss the positives of diverse cultures as part of your unique experience at Cambridge.

Get ready to overcome culture shock and join us for an interactive online session on November 15th.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

You must have your webcam switched on.

Do you think your future career opportunities are solely determined by luck and being in the right place at the right time? Think again! Learning the art of strategic networking is one of the most crucial factors in shaping your career. It’s never too early (or too late) to start!

Join our workshop to:

• Master the optimal mindset for increasing your 'luck' through relationship building.
• Explore various strategies for growing and maintaining a powerful network.
• Create a personalized plan for elevating your networking game to the next level.

Register now and open the door to a brighter professional future.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

In today's fast-paced world, remote work has become the new norm, presenting unique challenges for engineers. To excel in this environment, you need the right skills. Building psychological safety is especially challenging when working across cultures, making it crucial to learn how to create an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued, all while achieving your team's goals.

Join our workshop to:

• Delve into the importance of psychological safety and rapport building.
• Learn techniques to foster trust and connection among team members in a virtual setting.
• Explore the intercultural aspects of remote collaboration, as diverse teams often encounter unique communication and cultural challenges.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

Diversity, in its various dimensions, has been firmly established as a key driver of innovation. However, creating inclusive environments to harness the power of diversity requires preparation. Whether we are aware of it or not, bias towards individuals who are different from us is inherent. Understanding the origins of bias and how to outsmart them is the crucial first step toward fostering a more inclusive space at Cambridge.

Join our workshop to:

• Explore the nature of biases.
• Learn about the origins of stereotypes.
• Discover strategies to outsmart bias.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

In today's competitive landscape for future engineers, technical skills alone won't make you stand out. Recruiters now prioritise 'soft' skills, such as collaboration, communication, time management, and resilience. These skills are challenging to teach and showcase.

Join our workshop to:

• Understand what soft skills are and why they matter during your time at Cambridge University and in your future career.
• Learn how to recognize your unique soft skills and effectively present them to future employers and within the academic context.
• Gain practical guidance on leveraging your strengths and improving areas of development in soft skills.

Unlock the potential of your soft skills to excel both at Cambridge University and in your future engineering career and join us for an interactive online session on 25th October.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

Technical skills are a must-have, but a new skillset is emerging when it comes to finding the right candidate for employment. Those harder to teach and quantify skills, the so called soft or interpersonal skills, have become critical in the recruitment process of global companies and are tested at various stages of job applications.

In this workshop, you will reflect on:

1. What are soft skills and why you need them?
2. How do you know which ones you have?
3. How can you demonstrate them to your future employers?
4. How to develop them?

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

Have you ever struggled with other students' or colleagues' styles of working? Have you wondered why some people seem to be more direct than others, some don’t seem to be interested in socialising, or perhaps others are more relaxed about deadlines? Culture, and not only the national aspect of it, plays a significant role in how we learn to communicate and collaborate. Adjusting to cultural communication norms is more about shared values and expectations than speaking the same language. It requires a specific set of awareness, attitudes, and skills.

Join our workshop to:

• Discuss cultural preferences for working.
• Develop self-awareness of your working preferences.
• Learn strategies for developing the right skills that will help you develop cultural intelligence.

This is not a webinar. This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

To participate you must have your webcam switched on.

This course is designed for learners who have very limited or no previous knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL). The course aims to enable individuals to understand and use BSL effectively for purposes of practical communication with deaf or hard of hearing people, to develop understanding of the BSL sentence syntax and to learn more about a Deaf Culture.

Please note this course is not credit-bearing and so cannot be used as part of a Tripos.

Introductory course to Japanese. This course is for those with no previous knowledge of Japanese. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

Fun introductory course to Spanish. This course is for those with little or no previous knowledge of Spanish. Communicative context, with videos, audio, texts and conversation.

This course is suitable for students who have studied or picked up Spanish at basic level and who want to revise and progress onto intermediate topics and language and to discover Hispanic culture. The main focus is learning through communication and interaction. We will get together from home with Zoom, which offers us many possibilities to watch videos, listen to audio, read texts, write (there is even a whiteboard!) and especially speak in small and large groups. ¡Te esperamos!

This course is designed for non-native speakers of English and covers a variety of spoken language, ranging from the more formal language needed for seminars, discussions and conferences, to the more informal everyday language used in the office or the student house, or in wider social settings, whether online or face-to-face. The course, wherever possible, will take into account the needs and wishes of the participants. This is an opportunity to meet people and to practise your spoken English online in an informal and relaxed environment.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This online course is designed for non-native English speakers from the Department of Engineering. It will cover a variety of spoken English, ranging from the more formal language needed for seminars, discussions and conferences, to the more informal everyday language used in the office and the student house.

• NB. Please read Attendance section below before signing up for this course.
• Delivery format (online or in person) to be confirmed.

This online course is geared towards non-native speakers who feel that they would benefit from the opportunity to have frequent practice in giving presentations in English. It will consist of a mix of teacher input, individual presentations and regular feedback.

We will meet together for the first class (11.15am on Wednesday 26 January), and thereafter we will meet mainly in small groups of 4-6 students, at 11.15 am on either Wednesday or Thursday mornings.

Depending on exact numbers, each group session will be between 1 hour and 1.5 hours long. Groups and precise times will be decided in the first class.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.
• Delivery format (online or in person) to be confirmed.

This course, which is for non-native speakers, will cover important aspects of English pronunciation for effective academic, professional and social interaction. We will meet together as a group for approximately one hour a week and will schedule individual supervisions for personalised input to accompany the course's group input.

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This workshop addresses common writing errors of Engineers related to structure, style and accuracy. It forms part of CLIC's Lent term series of online masterclasses designed to assist CUED Research students in refining key areas of their writing. Classes include:

• Avoiding common errors in academic writing
• Unpacking journal articles for vocabulary use
• Self-editing skills
• Review of the tenets of academic writing for Engineers
• Writing for blogs

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This workshop reviews the key characteristics for achieving excellence in Engineering writing. It forms part of CLIC's Lent term series of online masterclasses designed to assist CUED Research students in refining key areas of their writing. Classes include:

• Avoiding common errors in academic writing
• Unpacking journal articles for vocabulary use
• Self-editing skills
• Review of the tenets of academic writing for Engineers
• Writing for blogs

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This workshop focuses on effective editing strategies for Engineering writing. It forms part of CLIC's Lent term series of online masterclasses designed to assist CUED Research students in refining key areas of their writing. Classes include:

• Avoiding common errors in academic writing
• Unpacking journal articles for vocabulary use
• Self-editing skills
• Review of the tenets of academic writing for Engineers
• Writing for blogs

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

This workshop focuses on how to exploit journal articles to improve quality and word choice in Engineering writing. It forms part of CLIC's Lent term series of online masterclasses designed to assist CUED Research students in refining key areas of their writing. Classes include:

• Avoiding common errors in academic writing
• Unpacking journal articles for vocabulary use
• Self-editing skills
• Review of the tenets of academic writing for Engineers
• Writing for blogs

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

A visiting expert will share tips and strategies on writing effective blogs and English for social media.

The focus is on structure, logical flow, the effective development of ideas, accuracy and critical analysis. This course is mainly aimed at non-native English speakers but native speakers are welcome to attend.

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.

The course consists of 4 workshops followed by 1 individual supervision. The course focuses on common errors and problem areas for research students writing up dissertations and publishing papers. The supervision addresses individual areas for improvement at the end of the course.

• NB. Please read the Attendance section below before signing up for this course.
• Delivery format (online or in person) to be confirmed.

Writing for Engineers Refining papers for publishing: a course for post-docs

In this course we will work directly with text written by you, the course participants. We will analyse and edit extracts from draft and published papers, always with the aim of honing the language to improve clarity, precision and style. In doing so we will explore questions of grammar and key concepts in academic writing, learning to identify weaker areas and developing expertise in improving them.

The course consists of four workshops followed by one individual supervision.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.

This EDI series supports the University’s EDI strategy concerned with promoting disability awareness and supportive and humanised workplace. The series encourages thinking differently about disabled colleagues or students, to get ‘a feel for the situation’ from their perspective, and to become inspired to help them achieve their professional goals. This series is being delivered by Dr Zrinka Mendas.

Other workshops in this series are:

1. Toward a Better Understanding of Sensory and Learning Impairments (April)
2. Empathy and Disability: Friends or Foes? (May)
3. Embracing Neurodiversity: Strength or Weakness? (June)
4. Sign language as a Useful Communication Tool (July)
5. Advancing Teaching and Learning Practices for disabled staff and students (August)

This is an interactive workshop and you will be expected to contribute to the session.

This course is intended for non-native speaker second and third-year graduate students who wish to improve their Presentation Skills.

Research has identified that the ability to verbally express ideas clearly and the capacity to work confidently in a group are the two key skills for employability. This series of workshops focuses on aspects of these skills most pertinent to Engineers at Cambridge.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.

This informal seminar will consider some of the cultural differences experienced by participants, and also address questions arising from various aspects of living and working in both the multi-cultural environment of the University and the wider British community.

• NB. Please read ATTENDANCE section below before signing up for this course.