Introduction to the Course

Dear Student,

This course focuses on the use of spoken English in academic and professional contexts. It will help you to improve your face-to-face communication and public speaking skills.

Course Content

1. Understanding verbal and non-verbal communication
2. Note taking strategies in lectures and seminars
3. Face-to-face communication: developing interview skills
4. Classroom presentations: impromptu speeches, demonstration speeches, informative speeches, and persuasion speeches
5. Designing effective outlines of speeches and PowerPoint presentations

Course Objectives

1. Develop verbal and non-verbal public presentation skills which are needed in academic environment by practicing methods and techniques used in the following forms of oral discourse: impromptu speech, demonstration speech, informative speech, and persuasion speech
2. Develop library and Internet research skills to select a topic and prepare an effective public speech
3. Learn how to prepare a public speech outline and give an effective public speech
4. Develop critical listening skills
5. Design effective PowerPoint presentations
6. Develop face-to-face-communication skills and learn how to work effectively in small groups.

Course Outcomes 

1. Use English effectively in verbal and non-verbal communication; understand the main ideas in extended formal speech, including complex lines of argument, when the topic is reasonably familiar. 
2. Extract information from a clearly structured mini-lecture and record sufficient details. 
3. Take an active part in face-to-face semi-formal discussions and problem-solving activities, being able to present his or her views clearly in accurate English with few hesitations, and to handle turn-taking conventions smoothly. The required level is about CEFR B2+. 
4. Give a clear, systematically developed presentation, highlighting significant points and supporting detail. Handle questions from an audience in a professional manner. 
5. Prepare effective public speeches and use language with a high level of clarity and fluency.
6. Take part in an interview as either interviewer or interviewee, following up ideas and spontaneous questions as well as more structured ones.