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Here to support you

I've been working with internationally-trained technology professionals for 20+ years. Through my contributions to non-profit organizations, I've taught countless engineers to describe their competencies in English. They learn the cultural expectations of companies and regulators and how to provide the most important information. My practice is grounded in a Master's degree in Adult Education from one of Canada's top universities. Learning with me is fun and enjoyable, as well as meaningful and robust.

Who is this course for?

  • Technology Job Seekers

    If you're looking for work on an engineering team in an English-speaking country, I can help you. Describe U: Engineering teaches you how to talk and write about your work competencies and accomplishments.

  • Engineers and Tech Workers

    Engineers are the most likely professionals to benefit from this course. But engineering managers, IT professionals and technologists can follow the same strategies and learning guides.

  • English Communication Needs

    If you will have to speak in English for your work in the future, this course is for you. Whether you hope to immigrate to another country, or work for a multinational company in your home country, this course will teach you to describe your competencies.

  • Intermediate English Ability

    You should not be a beginner starting this course. You need at least high intermediate ability. You can take your time and go at your own pace but the higher your English level, the more you will enjoy and benefit from this program.

Pricing

After this course you will be able to:

  • Speak in English about your work accomplishments and competencies, making sure you are giving the information expected by English-speaking stakeholders

  • Write short English descriptions about your engineering and technological accomplishments

  • Assemble your revised accomplishments into a short portfolio

Challenges (FAQ)

  • How quickly will I need to take to finish the course?

    You'll receive one new module every week for 10 weeks. But you'll have a year to finish. We know you are busy and it takes time to build new language skills.

  • Is this for any type of engineers?

    Yes, all types of engineers and technology professionals can benefit from this program.

  • After the course, are there other ways that Describe U: Engineering will support my learning?

    Yes, other learning programs are in development now. Feedback from early participants will shape the new programs and services that Describe U will offer.

What Gwen's Students Say

Dedicated Software Engineer Finds Success

By Silicon Valley Software Engineer

"I had a wish to work abroad since it would give me more opportunities to grow as a software engineer. However, the biggest obstacle was not technical stuff but communication in English since it's not my first language. At that time, I met Gwen to learn English. It was a really unforgettable moment when I look back now. She was very passionate and professional. She provided lots of ways to improve my English even beyond the class. Her coaching was not only limited to just English itself but she also taught me how I could communicate better among different cultures. She also understands how software engineers work in the IT world so she could give very proper teaching and advice. The most important thing why she was really great is everything she taught me happened on the foundation of trust between us since I could feel she really wanted to help me to achieve my dream. It has been 10 years now since I started to work with Gwen. Now, I work for one of the biggest companies in Silicon Valley as a senior software engineer. And my journey is still going to be with her." August 8, 2020

Engineer from India Succeeds in Canada

By British Columbia Software Engineer

Effective communication and soft skills are powerful tools to succeed at work, other than technical skills. I learned the skill of workplace articulation from Gwen. She is an expert. Her years of experience helped me to learn professional writing including cover letters and follow up emails, effective communication within a team, and how to answer behavioural interviews like a pro. She taught how to use your voice effectively with a right vocabulary and calm demeanour. I would say, communication is an art and she is a skilled artist.

Working in Canada as a software developer

By British Columbia Software Developer

Before I took Gwen's course I had been struggling with finding out how to overcome my fear of speaking and shyness. That is exactly what I found by completing her course. She helped me improve my English speaking fluency professionally. I also had the opportunity to practise a lot on a particular area of communication in English: writing emails, speaking at meetings and interviews, giving presentations, and networking. Nowadays I'm definitely more self-confident with my English and I certainly recommend Gwen's course to my friends who would like to work abroad and achieve professional goals. You won’t regret it.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to the course!

    • Youkoso Describe-U: Engineering

    • Welcome!

    • Tell me about your challenges
  • 2

    Module 1: Introduction

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Manami's Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Mini-Quiz

    • Conversation Question

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Outline your Accomplishment Story

  • 3

    Module 2: Beginning, Middle, Ending

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Mini-quiz

    • Use repetition in your ending

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Outline your Accomplishment Story 2
  • 4

    Module 3: Optimal Details

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Describing Learning with "in retrospect"

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Outline your accomplishment story: Add detail
  • 5

    Module 4: Intonation

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Use a thesaurus to add new vocabulary to stories

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • On your own

  • 6

    Module 5: Main and Supporting Points

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Re-create a conversation

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Reflect on your developing accomplishment story
  • 7

    Module 6: Formality

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Phrasal verbs

    • Mini Quiz

    • Adjust the formality of your story

    • Would you like a check in?

  • 8

    Module 7: Rising Action

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Not only x, but also y activity

    • Understatement activity

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Add rising action to your two stories
  • 9

    Module 8: General vs. Specific Information

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • You can imagine...

    • Share your stories with me
  • 10

    Module 9: Transitions

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Improve the story

    • Part 5: Core Learning Challenges

    • Checking In

    • Story 3

  • 11

    Module 10: Put it Together in a Portfolio

    • Part 1: Core Learning

    • Core Learning Quiz

    • Part 2: Engineering Competencies

    • Part 3: Sample Story

    • Part 4: Key Words and Strategies

    • Continuous Learning Accomplishment

    • Build a Portfolio
  • 12

    Next steps

    • More resources for you

    • Before you go...
  • 13

    Bonuses

    • Bonus 1: How They Succeed

    • Bonus 2: Communicating Competencies - Top Tips

Bonus material

  • Bonus 1: How They Succeed

    Read about the experiences of engineers who moved to Canada. Learn the communication strategies that brought success.

  • Bonus 2: Top Tips for Communicating Your Competencies in English

    Key suggestions from Gwen's previous students about building your communication skills for work.

  • Bonus 3: For Mining Engineers

    Watch videos of engineers who found success and a feeling of home in the Canadian mining industry.