Should I improve technical English before joining a laboratory?
Yes, studying some technical English before joining a laboratory can be useful, although it is not necessarily required. Within a manageable range, begin with the basic English needed to read research papers and experimental procedures, and practice field-specific terms, summarizing, and presenting. The level and type of English required vary by laboratory, so check the guidance for the relevant university, faculty, and laboratory.
Key points
- Practicing how to read paper abstracts and experimental procedures is a practical starting point.
- Learning technical terms gradually and summarizing research briefly can also help.
- Rather than trying to master English in general quickly, start with expressions related to your research field.
Things to check
- How often English is used and what level is expected varies by university, faculty, laboratory, and research topic.