Instructor             Dr. Catherine Coussens

 

 

This is a flexible course, designed to help students practise verbal communication in English, with particular attention to stress, pronunciation, and ‘public speaking’ (researching, preparing and delivering interesting, clear speeches on various topics). Students will gain confidence in speaking and listening to English through communication exercises, class discussions, oral reading and informal and formal presentations. Tasks will be designed to address specific aspects of spoken English, and different types of speech presentation. 

 

 

·        Components of speech: English grammar, pronunciation and stress

·        Comprehending, summarising and paraphrasing

·        Oral interpretation of texts (text to speech: drama and readers’ theatre)

·        Public Speaking: practise in different styles of speech presentation (informative, persuasive, motivating/stimulating)

·        Researching, planning and delivering a speech.      

 

 

·        We will begin with a range of verbal communication exercises and informal discussions in small and large groups, working towards the delivery of individual oral news reports.  

·        We will work on oral presentation of texts through Readers Theatre.

·        We will practise persuasive speaking through classroom debates.

·        Students will develop their own presentations for the final examination, using power point, handouts, OHP or other visual aids. 

 

 

Midterm 1: Oral news report with short written record (individual), 20%

Midterm 2: Oral interpretation of text/Readers’ Theatre (group project with individual mark), 20%  

Final examination: Public speaking/persuasive speech (individual speech with written record), 60%