Technical English Re:Engineered
A project at the University of Applied Sciences FH Technikum Vienna
Developing Technical and Academic Communication Skills |
"Technical English" is a compulsory course in all bachelor’s degree programs at FH Technikum Vienna. It plays a key role in supporting first-semester students' academic and technical communication skills.
In 2023, I led a full redesign of the course to meet three pressing challenges facing language instruction in higher education today: disciplinary diversity, differing levels of student engagement and proficiency, and the growing influence of generative AI. Adapting to disciplinary diversity
With students from 12 distinct degree programs—from Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energies to Data Science and Biomedical Engineering—it was clear that a one-size-fits-all approach would not support the specific communication practices of each discipline. I worked closely with study program directors to develop a modular course structure. The development of AI-supported self-study modules tailored to each program allowed for differentiated, discipline-specific materials while maintaining shared, common learning outcomes. Student Engagement Student motivation and English proficiency vary widely. The new course design supports all learners without lowering standards—with an assessment framework that supports both foundational language development and advanced writing performance, the course offers challenge and progression for ambitious students while ensuring a strong foundation for everyone. Artificial Intelligence in Language Learning Rather than treating generative AI as a threat, the course now addresses it head-on. Alongside the AI-supported self-study material, I devised tasks that help students learn how to use these tools effectively and critically in professional and academic language production—turning emerging challenges into opportunities for deeper learning. The result is a more flexible, inclusive, and future-oriented course that strengthens students’ academic and technical communication skills while responding to the real-world demands of their studies and professions.
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Key Outcomes and Reflections |
This project achieved the following:
This project brought language teaching closer to the real communication needs of engineering students. It also demonstrated how generative AI can be used constructively—not as a shortcut, but as a tool for improving input quality, promoting self-study, and helping develop critical engagement with language. The design balances consistency and flexibility, enabling faculty to teach a unified course while adapting to disciplinary contexts.
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Future Directions |
The Technical English project is designed with long-term development and adaptability in mind. AI-generated materials can be updated each year to reflect the latest technological trends, while close coordination with study program directors ensures that content remains aligned with the evolving needs of students across disciplines. The modular course structure allows for quick adaptation to new degree programs, maintaining both relevance and scalability.
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Selected Materials and Downloads |
The three sample versions of the course, below, demonstrate how genre-based written instruction can be combined with specialised technical communication and adapted across multiple fields of study.
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Related Services
Course & Materials Design
Communication in Technical Education
AI-Integrated Learning
Academic Language Support
Communication in Technical Education
AI-Integrated Learning
Academic Language Support
