Over the past few years, there has been a consistent growth in interest in information technology. The IT sector is practically one of the most promising in terms of career prospects and economic impact in almost every developed country. In this field, knowledge of technical English is essential.

Computer technologies continue to actively evolve, with new innovations emerging every year. International companies are constantly on the lookout for professionals who can become top-notch developers and elevate the company to new heights. Proficiency in the English language undoubtedly influences career growth and, in general, employment. The significance of technical English for IT professionals is becoming increasingly prominent.

Professions that require knowledge of IT English:

• Software Developer
• Systems Analyst
• UI/UX Designer
• Web Developer
• Network Architect
• System Administrator
• Database Administrator
• Software Tester
• Technical Writer
• DevOps Engineer
• Recruiter
• HR Specialist

Technical English: Concept and Definition

What sets technical English apart from the ordinary? Primarily, it is a specialized language encompassing a vast amount of industry-specific terminology, abbreviations, and acronyms related to technologies, programming, and computer sciences.

Proficiency in technical English is essential for IT professionals in their day-to-day work. Without it, they would find it challenging to collaborate with the team and clients, compose business letters and messages, and navigate code and project comments. IT companies are seeking talent worldwide, and English serves as the universal language for communication among colleagues. This is why IT specialists require technical English.

Without technical English, they won’t be able to fully engage, and in the realm of information technology, collaboration is key. Therefore, when asked what technical English means to IT professionals, the answer is clear: it’s a skill that is indispensable in their work, and honing it will contribute to professional advancement.

It is used in:

• Development environments
• Specialized literature
• Documentation
• Research
• Educational materials
• Describing innovations in the IT field
• Communications
• Professional articles, etc.

The Importance of Technical English for IT Specialists

An employee proficient in technical English is more independent. They can handle tasks quickly and in accordance with requirements without external assistance, such as a dictionary, ChatGPT, or a mentor. Knowledge of technical vocabulary ensures efficiency in solving various tasks in the IT field.

Advantages of Technical English in IT:

• Global Communication
• Understanding Technical Documentation
• Working in the International Market
• Personal and Professional Growth
• Enhanced Career Opportunities with Technical English.

Altogether, this opens up broad opportunities in the IT field, as language proficiency enables acquiring more specialized knowledge in one’s field. Technical English will enhance hard skills through continuous practice and solving new tasks. Therefore, it is recommended to pay special attention to it, not only by studying terms but also by constantly improving conversational skills.

When Technical English is needed in IT:

• Communication with international colleagues and clients
• Understanding and creating technical documentation
• Working on global IT projects
• Collaborating with a diverse, multicultural team
• Enhancing career prospects in the IT industry.

How to Improve Your Technical English Knowledge

Whether you are already in the field of computer technology or just starting your journey, you already possess certain skills. To enhance them, you can use various resources and educational materials.

Learning any language is based on five components:

• Expanding your vocabulary
• Mastering grammar
• Improving pronunciation
• Enhancing oral communication skills
• Developing written communication skills

As we’ve already discussed, the difference between technical English and regular English lies in the abundance of specialized terms, jargon, and slang. How can you expand your vocabulary? Primarily through spoken language practice and reading. This extends beyond specifications, instructions, and technical documentation to include information found on websites, in magazines, and in books.

However, it’s not only important to know the words themselves but also to learn how to explain them in an accessible way to people outside your field, such as clients. That’s why paying attention to grammar, communication, and writing is crucial.

Achieving proficiency in technical English in the IT field is possible through:

• Self-study: You can use various resources related to information technology, including dictionaries of computer terms, tests, exercises, and more.
• Online or offline courses in IT English: This provides a more in-depth and systematic approach to mastering both written and spoken skills.

We’re sharing free services for learning, regardless of the form of language study you choose:

• ComputerHope.com
• BusinessEnglishSite.com 
• BlairEnglish.com 
• Computerlanguage.com
• Gartner.com
• Techterms.com
• English4it.com

If you are proficient in English, you can find suitable online courses on the following resources:

• Codecademy.com
• Udacity.com
• Coursera.org
• Futurelearn.com
• Edx.org

Additionally, there is access to both paid and free textbooks online, as well as specialized materials for IT specialists.

Practical Tips for IT Specialists

Technical English skills for IT experts require constant improvement. This means continuous practice is essential. It’s best to integrate IT English into daily routines while also enhancing general English language skills.

Recommendations:

• Watch IT companies’ streams
• Register on English-language IT forums to understand IT professionals’ vocabulary
• Find available learning materials online for reading and listening
• Listen to podcasts by specialists in your field (e.g., herdingcode, se-radio, talkpython, spec, cppcast)
• Practice with native speakers
• Explore materials on YouTube (GoogleDevelopers, ProgrammingKnowledge, Sentdex, The PC Security Channel)
• Listen to IT-related talks on ted.com

Following these recommendations, you will understand how technical English enhances IT knowledge and be able to memorize information faster and better. For a better understanding of the language and terms, it is recommended to memorize whole phrases, not just individual words. Repeat them from time to time until they become part of your knowledge. And, of course, communication. It is communication that will help reinforce the knowledge you have gained.

The IT industry and technical English are constantly changing, evolving, and developing. To stay informed about all events and innovations, register on well-known resources about technology, programming, etc. Engaging in discussions on these platforms will not only improve your IT knowledge but also allow you to practice written communication.

Some of the most popular forums and resources include:

• reddit.com
• devices.slashdot.org
• arstechnica.com
• stackoverflow.com

The Importance of Continuous Improvement of Technical English

Today, in almost every job requirement checklist for any position in the IT industry, you can read: “Required skills for IT professionals: technical English.” According to statistics, if a candidate is proficient in the English language, their salary can be increased by up to 15%. And if they possess IT English skills, their salary can grow by 35%. This underscores the significance of learning and improving technical English.

IT English is a dynamic and constantly evolving language with its vocabulary, terms, and slang. It cannot be learned once and for all; it is enriched with new words along with emerging trends in IT and innovative developments.

If you want to be a sought-after professional, mastery of technical language should be a priority. This is the soft skill that makes hard skills more convincing to potential employers. If you need guidance on entering the IT field or becoming part of an international IT company, it’s simple: develop not only your professional skills but also enhance your technical English for effective communication with any client and quick mastery of new skills in your field. This way, you will always be one step ahead of your competitors for the desired position. If you are still undecided about whether to start improving your English skills and unsure if this skill will help in interviews, read our article “English for IT specialist. Why it is necessary and how to boost it”.