The purpose of this course is to bring awareness to students on how to self-examine the way we speak and express ourselves in a group setting. What makes certain speakers appear more confident than others? How can we improve our communication with limited knowledge of a foreign language? Why certain people have stronger presence than others in a discussion? These are the questions that will be tackled in this course. Through numerous small group activities each student will attain specific tools and skills that he/she can easily utilize to instantly upgrade his/her image as a confident speaker in group discussions.
*This course is designed for students who are non-native English speakers.
Through this course:
Students will be able to recognize the elements of successful participation in group discussions.
Students will be able to utilize tools to appear confident and play an active role when speaking in English in a group setting.
confidence, English, presentation, discussion, techniques
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
1. Exposure to a skill
2. Hands-on practice of the skill
3. Analysis
4. 2nd enactment of the skill
5.Application of the skill
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Course overview and course expectation Leadership Part 1: Students learn to take the leading role in a discussion by speaking up with eagerness | None |
Class 2 | Presence Part 1: Students learn to appeal their presence in a conversation by using minimal vocabulary and responding actively to others | Conversation theme prep (Students will prepare to speak about a topic determined weekly) |
Class 3 | Fairness Part 1: Students learn to involve all members in a discussion by simplifying their speech and appointing the next speaker | Conversation theme prep (Students will prepare to speak about a topic determined weekly) |
Class 4 | Leadership Part 2: Students learn how to remain in the leading role by using questions and making the final remark in a conversation | Conversation theme prep (Students will prepare to speak about a topic determined weekly) |
Class 5 | Presence Part 2: Students learn how to affirm their presence by interrupting a discussion and changing the conversation topic | Conversation theme prep (Students will prepare to speak about a topic determined weekly) skills such as giving examples |
Class 6 | Fairness Part 2: Students learn how to move a discussion forward by assisting others in the group Review Quiz | Conversation theme prep (Students will prepare to speak about a topic determined weekly) |
Class 7 | Final Test Day 1: Group discussion The discussion participants use all tools to participate actively in discussions while being evaluated by peer observers | Evaluate what you have learned in the subject through individual examinations |
Class 8 | Final Test Day 2: Group discussionThe discussion participants use all tools to participate actively in discussions while being evaluated by peer observers | Individual test (preliminary test if it cannot be completed at the previous time) |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
No text
Handouts only
1. Being able to appear confident when speaking in a group
2. Being able to recognize the elements of successful discussion participation
This course is designed for students who are non-native English speakers
To be eligible for official registration students must attend at least two out of the first three lectures
raychu.titech[at]gmail.com
None
The maximum number of students in a class is limited to 12. If there are many applicants, you may not be able to take the course.