“Oral Communication Skills” course

Objectives:

> Present your research with self-confidence at conferences/workshops.

> Improve your diction and pronunciation.

Program:

Verbal and non-verbal communication:

• Key communication points: the impact of words, body language and your voice. Best practices and points to avoid.
• Voice work: practical exercises to improve diction, intonation, use of pauses and pronunciation.
• The structure of a presentation. Ensure a smooth transition between the parts by using linking phrases.
• Communication techniques to get and keep audience attention.
• Identify the key message to get across.

Practical exercises (partially filmed):

• Presentation of your research subject (2 minutes).
• Feedback on the content, diction, body language, communication style and linguistic corrections if necessary (grammar, pronunciation).
• Observation of filmed extracts.

Pre-work:     

> Prepare a short presentation (2 minutes) without slides on your subject of research.

> Watch a presentation on the internet (TED talk) and analyse the techniques used to keep audience attention.