Grades are based upon regular attendance, successful completion of assignment, and final assessment of proficiency. This course is designed for students who need to improve their presenting and discussion skills in order to perform successfully in their academic work. Then the work will move to a dual focus. In class sessions once a week, students will concentrate on modifying speech fluency, with work on elements of stress, rhythm, rate, pacing and pausing, and vocal qualities. In small-group sessions one a week ,students will concentrate on modifying accuracy in spoken English with work on sounds and sound combinations.
Work includes both pre-planned speaking styles and extermporaneous speaking styles.
The goal is to enhance extemporaneous speaking styles and accuracy. This course is designed for and restricted to international graduate students who are not native speakers of English and who are being considered for teaching assistantships at the university. The purpose of this course is to improve the students' command of English for teaching purposes and to broaden their range of communication strategies in the classroom, lab, and office hour. We will discuss how these teaching contexts differ and , as a consequence, what language and teaching behaviors are appropriate for each. Students will engage in tasks to expand their repertoire of communication skills through videotaped micro-teaching sessions, role plays , and discussions.