During my study at BCIT, I have found many differences between Technical and Academic English. I always have trouble with writing but the study taught me how to the forms correctly. The variations of writings between Technical and Academic English made me realize the difference in levels each teaches.

First of all, I found that the Academic English classes teach you mostly on compositions and writing essays whereas, the technical classes teach you how to write for memos, letters, and reports.

Secondly, each type of classes has different goals that relates to the study. For Academic English, its main goal is to help point out ideas to help build an argument. It teaches you to write out all your ideas onto paper so you can have a better understanding of what you are planning to write. As for Technical English, it's main goal is to focus to a specific idea without having to go through useless thoughts and wordings. It also teaches you to make reasoning and support behind ideas, which can make your thoughts and writing more clearly.

An Academic English class allows the reader to share and understand the writer's intellectual interests and feelings. In contrast, the Technical English class lets the reader absorb the information that is given by the writer.

Overall, I believe that Technical English is more practical but Academic English has its advantages too. Academic English may take up a lot of time but it can really improve your way of writing greatly. Technical English is more professional but is also can improve your writing structure. The most important things in writing are to learn to use writing correctly and to balance out between the two types of English when you are writing a document.

May 16, 2000