Learning the language of science: A personal journey

Have you ever considered how different life would be if you could not communicate with the people around you? How would you express your ideas, feelings, and experiences?

Well, this is my story with the added twist that, as a scientist, I must expertly speak, read, and write in my second language, English, which is the language of science. It's a personal and professional challenge that led all the way to Buckingham Palace in the UK, where, as a PhD student, I represented the University of Southampton Optoelectronics Research Centre upon being awarded the 2017 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

I had the opportunity to speak for a few minutes with Prince Charles. He asked about my nationality and my research, and then remarked that my English was good! Slightly embarrassed, I only could answer that he was so lovely. I had worked very hard to earn that compliment.

Buckingham Palace was a long way from home. I was born and raised in Mexico City where Spanish is the only language needed to communicate. Nonetheless, by the time I graduated as an engineer from Mexico's National Polytechnic Institute, I knew some English but could not hold a conversation for more than a few minutes. I worked professionally for more than 10 years, and still did not have to take up formal English language studies because all of my business relationships were in Spanish.

Then one day life caught me by surprise and our family moved to the UK to support my husband's career. After two years, I decided to pursue a PhD degree in optoelectronics. The program was in English, however, and I didn't have the level of proficiency the program required. Unable to get formal lessons, I studied English seven to 10 hours a day at home. I worked with internet sources, books from the public library, and I spent some money on books and practice tests. I was also lucky to know many people who were willing to help me learn and practice.

While proficiency in a second language can be an advantage in any profession, it is a must for scientists whose first language isn't English. While my English proficiency was just enough that I could start my doctoral program, I had to greatly improve my skills. This required more than making an effort-it required conviction, commitment, discipline, and above all, time management.

For example, I learned to never waste time in pursuit of better skills in English, and to value the time of others who were willing to help me. I learned that living in a country where English is the official language can help one learn, but that scholarly communication in English is a separate challenge.

What's more, I realized how expensive and sometimes inaccessible it can be to obtain formal instruction in English. With that, I came to understand the importance of networking to improve professional skills, including spoken and written English.

I remember that it took me months to prepare my first conference paper, including at least 10 revisions with my supervisor. My main difficulty was grammatical structure and the complexity of English. A common mistake the first time anyone tries to write an article in another language is to formulate ideas in our native tongue, and then try to translate.

But different languages often employ differing grammatical structures. This is certainly the case with English and Spanish. My suggestion is to keep it simple. Try to write short sentences. Be concise and follow basic academic writing guidelines. You also can consult sources, such as "10 Simple Steps to Writing a Scientific Paper," by Andrea Armani, a professor at University of Southern California (spie.org/10StepsArmani), or download the free SPIE eBook, How to Write a Good Scientific Paper by Chris A. Mack (spie.org/SciPaperMack2018).

Like me, many science and engineering students develop their English language skills alongside graduate studies. They learn that communication skills are not limited to technical jargon, but include speaking and writing for the public. We face the challenge of being in front of an audience, where we must explain our work and findings fluently, in English, when we may not be at all confident. I still feel intimidated every time I speak English in front of an audience. My advice: Prepare a talk beforehand, practice as much as possible, and, most importantly, remember to breathe.

The first time I presented research results at a conference, I was so nervous my mouth got parched, and I could not speak for what seemed like forever. Finally, I managed to breathe and said to the audience, "I am sorry, I think I need some water." That gave me time to think, relax, and start over. The experience taught me to avoid taking on extra pressure pursuing perfection. No one is expecting that. I promise you that everyone in the audience will understand.

While working towards my PhD, important activities that helped with both learning English and boosting my confidence included being part of SPIE subcommittees, being part of the SPIE Career Lab mentoring program, and receiving recognition from awards, grants, and scholarships.

Of course, it is paramount that graduate students receive support and guidance in their scientific work from supervisors and colleagues. But this also applies to learning English. I have found that learning a second language is always a key that can open several doors. As supervisors or mentors, we can be the difference for those starting out in science careers. I am so proud of all my mentees who have succeeded in their endeavours.

Part of my success as a scholar and researcher is because of my hard work, but I will be forever in debt to those who helped me improve my English skills. Since I started my PhD, I have committed to assisting others in developing their career paths as my mentors and colleagues have helped me. I invite everyone to extend a helping hand to someone you know who is on their path to learning the language of science.

Angeles Camacho is a researcher at the University of Southampton Optoelectronics Research Centre. She is part of the SPIE Career Lab mentoring program and leads outreach programs in Latin America.