English for Engineers: Recent Episodes
Olivia Augustin
Ever wished you had a Technical English + Business English teacher who’s an engineer as well? Well, you found her: civil engineer and certified English teacher turned corporate trainer, Olivia Augustin. Her speciality? Dissecting the intricate structures of the English language and only putting back the pieces engineers really need to become skilled communicators. And all with an approach that won’t bore you like your high-school English studies, will have you enjoying learning the suckiest language in the world, and crush that inner perfectionist to move forward so perfectly easy + efficiently.
Tune in, get inspired, and get ready to learn from industry professionals worldwide. On this podcast, you’ll find a mix of Olivia’s chalk talks and practical tips on language learning, Technical + Business English, the cultural component of international business communication, and interviews with communication specialists and people working in STEM in general. Each episode is designed to give you unique insights and broaden your horizon to the contrasting realm that is global engineering culture.
For more details about the podcast, check: https://www.marcode.org/blog/037 Connect with Olivia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-d-augustin/
Want to be a guest on Olivia's podcast or invite Olivia as a guest on yours? Send an inquiry to info@marcode.org
You test well. Your grammar is solid. But put you on the spot in a meeting — a question you didn't see coming, a design decision you have to defend right now — and something breaks down.
That's not an English problem. That's a communication problem. And it's completely fixable.
This episode of English for Engineers is for non-native English speakers in technical and engineering roles who feel fluent on paper but still freeze under pressure. I'm talking to Camilla Walton, founder of Cultivate English and English communication coach for international landscape architects and designers. Like me, Camilla built her whole business on one premise: generic English training doesn't work for technical professionals. You need someone who knows your world.
We get into why non-native professionals always self-diagnose the wrong problem, what's actually happening in the brain when your English confidence breaks down under pressure, and why AI tools — however useful for writing — will never replace the reps you need for real human communication.
Plus: the rapid-fire round makes its debut on the show. Camilla's answer to question one is very, very on-brand.
CONNECT WITH CAMILLA WALTONCamilla Walton is an English communication coach for international landscape architects and garden designers, and the founder of Cultivate English. She helps designers close the gap between what they know and how it sounds in English.LinkedIn | Website | Freedom to Communicate programme
CONNECT WITH OLIVIA AUGUSTINOlivia Augustin is a civil engineer and certified English as a 2nd language and Business English teacher. With her one-on-one lessons and group courses, she teaches non-native English-speaking engineers the kind of English that gets the job done.
Work with me | Get the newsletter | LinkedIn | Instagram
Fly somewhere for 3 days. Get a native speaker. Pay a premium, because expensive must mean good. Three things engineers get sold about learning English — and all three are wrong in a way you can test like a spec sheet. This one's for every engineer who's ever asked me if a 3-day miracle is worth it.
Spoiler: I have opinions.
The episode in one line
Why the 3-day English intensive doesn't work — and the three myths engineers keep getting sold (the 3-day cure, the native-speaker trap, the price-tag illusion), plus what actually works instead.
What we cover
An engineer emailed me before a huge construction project. Stakeholder meetings, negotiations, contracts — all coming fast, and his English wasn't quite there. He was choosing between a 12-week one-on-one course and a 3-day intensive somewhere quiet, all meals included, €4,500. He picked the three days.
He won't be the last. So this episode takes apart the three things engineers get sold when they want to fix their English fast:
- The 3-day cure — why you can learn about a language in three days, but not the language itself. What memory science says about the spike-then-fade of intensive immersion, and why you end up roughly where you started (minus €4,500).
- The native-speaker myth — why being born into English doesn't mean you can teach it. Why ~80% of the world's English teachers are non-native, and the phrasal-verb trap that quietly turns a stakeholder email into a safety risk.
- The price-tag illusion — the price-quality heuristic, why it fails badly for language learning, and the Liebherr-not-a-Rolls-Royce frame for choosing the right tool.
Then the boring version that actually works — five practical tips, ending with the one to sit with: forget fluency, aim to be understood.
Chapters
- 00:00 — The Illusion of Quick Fixes in Language Learning
- 05:57 — Debunking the Native Speaker Myth
- 12:34 — The Price Tag Fallacy in Language Training
- 16:16 — Practical Tips for Effective Language Learning
Key takeaways
- You can learn about a language in three days. You can't learn a language in three days.
- Language sticks through repetition over time, not one concentrated burst — that's memory science.
- Native-speaker status doesn't predict teaching quality. Being able to explain why does.
- Phrasal verbs are great for the coffee kitchen, a liability in technical English ("we'll look into it" → "we will investigate it").
- Price is almost completely unrelated to language-learning results.
- Forget fluency. Aim to be understood.
Mentioned in this episode
- The Foundation: 1-on-1 coaching built around your work, over 12 weeks. Business + technical English, taught by an engineer.
- The 25 Minutes: short, focused 1-on-1 conversation sessions for engineers with tight calendars.
- All courses: www.marcode.org/allcourses
- Get the newsletter: www.marcode.org/newsletter
Connect with Olivia Augustin
Olivia Augustin is a civil engineer and certified English as a 2nd language and Business English teacher. With her one-on-one lessons and group courses, she teaches non-native English-speaking engineers the kind of English that gets the job done.
LinkedIn - The Blog - Instagram
What if the only thing standing between you and being seen as a top engineer… is how confidently you communicate in English
This episode of English for Engineers dives into why that gap exists and how to close it. I’m joined by Noelia Gozalo, an experienced engineer in the automotive and renewable energy industry, to talk about what it really takes to communicate confidently in technical and business environments. From not understanding a single lecture abroad to leading international teams, Noelia shares the raw reality of learning English in the real world, not the classroom version.
We unpack why confidence matters more than perfect grammar, how empathy can completely transform communication in cross-functional teams, and what engineers actually need to succeed in international workplaces. If you’ve ever frozen in a meeting, second-guessed your English, or felt like you’re “not good enough” to speak up, this episode will shift your perspective.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
- Why speaking “perfect English” is not the goal in technical communication
- How to build confidence speaking in meetings
- The role of empathy in international engineering teams
- Why engineers often freeze when speaking English (and how to overcome it)
- How real-world immersion accelerates your language and career growth
The English for Engineers podcast is for engineers and technicians who want to communicate clearly, sound professional, and finally stop translating in their heads. It’s packed with real-world tips, cross-cultural insights, and practical ways to turn technical English and business English into tools you actually enjoy using.
COURSES AND RESOURCES:
Training Solutions for Tech Teams: for engineering teams ready to lead meetings, explain designs, and stop second-guessing their words.
Emails for Engineers Template Pack: real emails you can copy and paste into your next update or request.
Fast Track to Fluency: Olivia’s course is designed specifically for non-native English-speaking engineers who need to communicate more quickly and confidently in technical discussions.
Click here to find an oversight of all services Olivia offers.
Missed the last episode?
Catch Ep #023 w/ Rebecca v Ramsdonk
CONNECT WITH OLIVIA
Olivia Augustin is a civil engineer, university guest lecturer, and certified English as a 2nd language and Business English teacher. With her one-on-one lessons and group courses, she teaches non-native English-speaking engineers the kind of technical English that gets the job done.
Work with Olivia: marcode.org/services
Get the newsletter: marcode.org/newsletter
LinkedIn: Olivia Augustin
Instagram: @_marcode_
CONNECT WITH NOELIA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelia-gozalo/
DM her the word “challenge” to join her upcoming mentoring challenge for engineers
Ever feel confident in your field, but not in your language? This episode of English for Engineers dives into how to fix that. I’m joined by Rebecca van Raamsdonk, founder of NABU Academy, to talk about what really works for language learning at the advanced level — especially for ambitious professionals like you.
We unpack why confidence often matters more than fluency, how to actually feel at home in a new language, and why grammar is the foundation — but never the whole house. Rebecca shares real-world strategies for breaking past the textbook, simplifying complex grammar, and using podcasts as your secret language weapon.
Whether you’re learning Dutch, English, or any other language for work, this episode will change how you think about language, mistakes, and real progress.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- How feeling “at home” in a language boosts clarity, confidence, and connection
- Why confidence > fluency when it comes to high-stakes communication
- Simple ways to integrate language learning into your daily routine — no flashcards required
- How to reframe mistakes as growth markers (not failures)
- Why speaking regularly — even imperfectly — builds real, lasting confidence
The English for Engineers podcast is for engineers and technicians who want to communicate clearly, sound professional, and finally stop translating in their heads. It’s packed with real-world tips, cross-cultural insights, and practical ways to turn Technical and Business English into a tool you actually like using.
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Free Coaching Resources (Rebecca):
Masterclass: From Insecure to Fluent (B2/C1 Dutch)
Free Learning Resources (Olivia):
Olivia’s Freebies for Engineers
Courses + Templates
Technical English Group Course: for engineers ready to lead meetings, explain designs, and stop second-guessing their words.
Emails for Engineers Template Pack: real emails you can copy and paste into your next update or request.
Missed last week’s episode? Catch Ep #022 with Saskia Slotboom, where we explore authentic leadership for technical minds.
CONNECT WITH OLIVIA
Olivia Augustin is a civil engineer and certified English as a 2nd language and Business English teacher. With her one-on-one lessons and group courses, she teaches non-native English-speaking engineers the kind of technical English that gets the job done.
Work with me: marcode.org/solutions
Get the newsletter: marcode.org/newsletter
LinkedIn: Olivia Augustin
Instagram: @_marcode_
CONNECT WITH REBECCA
Founder of Nabu Academy: Dutch for advanced learners (B2–C1).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-van-raamsdonk/
Company Website: http://www.nabuacademy.nl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nabuacademy/
In this episode of the English for Engineers podcast, host Olivia Augustin speaks with Saskia Slotboom, a coach and trainer for professionals in STEM fields. They discuss the importance of soft skills, particularly emotional intelligence, in engineering careers.
Saskia shares her journey from engineering to coaching, emphasizing the need for engineers to develop interpersonal skills to succeed in their roles. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in communication and the significance of feedback in personal growth. Olivia and Saskia explore the critical role of communication in engineering leadership. They discuss the challenges engineers face in multicultural teams, the importance of building trust, and the need for emotional intelligence in technical fields.
The episode emphasizes the transition from technical roles to coaching, the shift from perfectionism to authenticity, and the significance of visibility and self-promotion in engineering careers. They also touch on the complexities of maturity in leadership and the necessity of understanding different communication levels.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT
- The need for engineers to develop soft skills.
- How engineers can enhance their emotional awareness through practice.
- Understanding personal triggers helps in managing responses.
- Why slowing down to reflect can lead to better communication.
The English for Engineers podcast is here to help engineers and technicians from all backgrounds improve their communication skills and provide them with interesting facts so that Technical and Business English becomes their new superpower.
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Free Coaching Resources (Saskia):
https://www.saskiaslotboom.nl/download-reflectie-tool/
https://www.saskiaslotboom.nl/download-reflection-tool/
Free Learning Resources (Olivia):
Check out these blog articles:
The Hidden Risks in Global Engineering Teams
Why Engineers Need Emotional Intelligence (And Already Have More Than They Think)
Soft Skills for Engineers: It Is a Translation, Not a Transformation
And also check out the Emails for Engineers template package to simplify your project communication with engineer-written, ready-to-use English email templates.
Look into the Technical English Group Course for ambitious engineers, learn to communicate clearly with your clients, stakeholders, and subcontractors, and understand the logic behind technical English.
CONNECT WITH SASKIA SLOTBOOM
A coach and trainer for professionals in STEM fields. In her coaching, she specializes in ‘soft skills’: communication, influencing, public speaking, and (personal) leadership.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saskiaslotboom/
Company Website: http://www.saskiaslotboom.nl
Free Coaching Resources: https://www.saskiaslotboom.nl/download-reflectie-tool/
https://www.saskiaslotboom.nl/download-reflection-tool/
CONNECT WITH OLIVIA AUGUSTIN
Olivia Augustin is a civil engineer and certified English as a 2nd language and Business English teacher. With her one-on-one lessons and group courses, she teaches non-native English-speaking engineers the kind of English that gets the job done.
Work with me: marcode.org/allcourses
Get the newsletter: marcode.org/newsletter
LinkedIn: Olivia Augustin
Instagram: @_marcode_
Starting her engineering career in the 1990ies, Andrea Zimmerl could never quite limit herself to just one profession: consulting for small Austrian companies in plastics technology she soon felt the need to help other engineers with her experience–because she realized that excellent technicians don't necessarily make good communicators. From engineer to communications coach to life coach, she later ran a program called 'Women in STEM'.
In this episode, Olivia and Andrea discuss the necessity to say 'no' and why too much flexibility is a danger to your boundaries.
If you need help mastering your Business English, Technical English, and business communication skills so that English will become your new superpower, book a free introduction call here:
https://www.marcode.org/freeconsultation
Olivia offers online courses for systematic thinkers. Hands-on knowledge, custom-made courses, from engineer to engineer.
PS: As promised the link to Andrea's Instagram so you can follow her dog Happy: https://www.instagram.com/happy_simple_dog/
With thirty years in the construction industry, Becky Paroz has demonstrated her leadership skills on some of the most demanding projects in Australia. Becky is an engineer, a project manager and Director in three companies. And as if that wouldn’t be enough to fill one's day to the brim, she is also a professional mentor, forming the next generation of industry leaders–and she has awards to prove it, e.g. the Fearless Educator Award 2019.
Becky and Olivia are talking about industry jargon, the engineers' lingo, and why you might wanna ditch it–especially when working with an international team. Years of experience in QA (quality assurance) have taught Becky that simple and clear communication is the key to quality and safety–no matter how big or small the project.
If you need help mastering your Business English, Technical English, and business communication skills so that English will become your new superpower, book a free introduction call here:
https://www.marcode.org/freeconsultation
Olivia offers online courses for systematic thinkers. Hands-on knowledge, custom made courses, from engineer to engineer.
When it comes to learning a new language, English is often touted as one of the most confusing and least straightforward languages to comprehend. This is particularly true for those learning how to leverage the English language in a professional setting, as technical terms across industries tend to vary dramatically. But as a professional, you already know how important it is to communicate clearly with your co-workers, and that’s why I’ve put together my top tips for helping you master technical English with an engineering focus.
(1) Here's the link I promised you in the 2nd part of this episode: https://interestingengineering.com/15-best-tv-shows-for-engineers
(2) And this 'email cheat sheet' has been created to help you save time by giving you ideas which you can simply copy and paste: https://www.marcode.org/emailcheatsheet
When working on an international project with engineers from different countries, you have to ask yourself one question:
Do you want to be right, or do you want a relationship?
What does that mean? Find out in today's episode of English for Engineers.
Today's guest is Catherine Stagg-Macey, executive coach and mojo wing woman for mid-career professionals ready to reclaim their spark in their career (without setting fire to their lives).
And if you think "I need an Olivia in my life" at the end of this podcast, use this link to book a free 15min consultation. Let me help you make sense of the suckiest language in the world. With an approach that won’t bore you like your high-school English studies, will have you enjoying learning the ins and outs of Technical and Business English, and crush that inner perfectionist to move forward so perfectly easy + efficiently.
(the link I promised you at the end of the episode: www.converationsattheedge.com)
Ever wondered what it's like for an Austrian to move, work and teach in Australia?
Listen to this episode where I interview Christian Urich, my former classmate, who once promised our English teacher to never ever again speak English. And why it's a good thing he never listened!
We discuss the differences in Engineering culture, why numbers do not always work, and why you should never say sorry.
If you need a little framework to improve your English work emails, download my email cheat sheet.
2nd and final part of an interview with Ama Zbarcea, communication specialist, legal expert, expat, and polyglot.
Ama has a multicultural background and she has worked with people from various cultures. On top of that: she knows from experience what it means to be 'lost in translation'.
Ama and Olivia cover the cultural differences between the US and England, how speaking up makes you 'American' and why 'You are so rude' was meant to be a compliment. Join them on this episode when they dig deep into all things Business English and International Business Communication: to bring you a lifetime of knowledge in a digestible format.
The mentioned links:
www.onyourownterms.net/contractcheatsheet
www.marcode.org/freebie-email-writing
Olivia is interviewing Ama Zbarcea, legal expert, communication specialist, polyglot.
Ama is not an engineer, but as a legal expert, her weapon of choice is the English language. Ama has an international background regarding her personal life, and she has worked with people from various cultures. On top of that: she knows from experience what it means to be 'lost in translation'.
During part 1 of a 2 episode long interview, Ama and Olivia cover the differences between US English and British English, how not to ruin the 1st impression at the minefield of international business communication, and why behaviour is more important than grammar (egalitarian vs hierarchical cultures).
What's Business English?
What's Technical English?
What's Simplified Technical English?
What's English for Engineers?
All those questions (and more) get answered in this podcast!
There is so much confusion around the term 'Technical English'. And I’m quite sure you’ve heard the terms Business English. They get thrown around a lot. And then there's also Simplified Technical English. But have you ever wondered what exactly those terms mean? I'll explain why I like to call this hybrid of Business English, necessary tech vocabulary and the helpful rules of STE 'English for Engineers'.
If you, after listening to this episode, wonder if your business might benefit from English for Engineers have a look at my website, my blog, my social media. Feel free to check me out. Or book a free consultation (link on my website).
The Marcode Blog:
What is Technical English https://www.marcode.org/blog/036
What is Business English https://www.marcode.org/blog/009
This is the very 1st episode of Olivia's ENGLISH FOR ENGINEERS podcast where she introduces herself and tells you a little bit about her background in engineering. She's also sharing 4 language learning tips that you can easily introduce into your daily routine. Olivia's mission: helping you master your Business English, Technical English, and conversational skills so that talking English will become your new superpower.
What can you expect from this podcast in the future?
The primary reason for this podcast is that Olivia wants to provide you with interesting language input. She's going to share tips and tricks regarding Technical English, Business English and English Business communication across cultures, but she also wants to share scientific research that is backing up language learning techniques. Olivia is interviewing international experts so you can get used to different accents and get used to different ways of seeing the world. Her guests will always have a connection to engineering in general, construction, technical English or business communication.
To download the pdf resource mentioned, go to https://www.marcode.org/5tipsfluency