Oral Presentation Skills for Non-Native Speakers of English Summer 2005

University of Toronto
Office of English Language and Writing Support
School of Graduate Studies, Summer 2005
Oral Presentation Skills for Non-Native Speakers of English


Instructor: Adam Chapnick

Office: Munk Centre 213N (416-946-8951)

Office Hour: Wednesday 11.30am-12.30pm, or by appointment: a.chapnick@utoronto.ca

Schedule: Weekly course (W 1.10pm-3.00pm), Woodsworth College 120


Description, Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:

Oral Presentation Skills (for Non-Native Speakers of English) is designed to provide graduate students with the skills, confidence, and experience necessary to prepare for impending academic presentations. The skills covered in this non-credit course include how to plan and structure an effective presentation; how to design, use, and maximize the benefits of visual aids; and how to manage presentation anxiety.

This is an interactive course. Its success depends on the attitude, enthusiasm and effort of its participants. Students in the course will be active learners. They will participate in group activities, make two presentations based largely on their own research, and serve as attentive and engaged audience members throughout their peers’ presentations.

Students will not be required to read additional material outside of class time. Rather, they will be encouraged to use that time to practice their presentations and/or consult with their instructor for advice and support.

By the end of this course, participants will be more aware of what makes an effective presentation. They will be more confident in their ability to discuss their research in a formal academic environment. And they will have improved their general public speaking skills.


Formal Assignments:

1. Short Presentation (3-5 minutes)

During the second and third weeks of the course, every student will make a 3-5 minute presentation about the general area of her/his graduate research. The goal of the presentation will be to make this research accessible to an educated, non-specialist audience (the rest of the class). Presentations should follow the format of best practice in each student’s individual discipline. Students are encouraged to consent to having their presentations videotaped. All presentations will end with questions from the audience.

Before the presentation, presenters will submit an index card to the instructor that will include (1) the topic of the presentation in one sentence; (2) the structure of the presentation in one sentence; (3) two anticipated questions.

2. Longer Presentation (7-8 minutes)

During the fourth, fifth, and sixth weeks of the course, every student will make a 7-8 minute presentation based on a forthcoming coursework presentation, conference presentation, or thesis defence. The goal of the presentation will vary, depending on the anticipated audience. Presentations should follow the format of best practice in each student’s individual discipline. Students are encouraged to consent to having their presentations videotaped. All presentations will end with questions from the audience.

Before the presentation, presenters will submit an index card to the instructor that will include (1) the topic of the presentation in one sentence; (2) the structure of the presentation in one sentence; (3) the intended audience; (4) two anticipated questions.


Course Schedule:

Week 1 (4 May 2005)

• Introductions
• Why Present?: Understanding Learning Styles
• Differences Between Oral and Written Presentations
• Introduction of 1st Assignment
• Instructor-Led Lecture / Presentation: Creating a Presentation: From Start to Finish


Week 2 (11 May 2005)

• Warm Up (Beginning Your Presentation)
• Discussion: Overcoming Anxiety
• Class Presentations


Week 3 (18 May 2005)

• Warm Up (Understanding Your Environment)
• Class Presentations
• Introduction of 2nd Assignment
• Instructor-Led Lecture / Presentation: Using (not misusing) Visual Aids


Week 4 (25 May 2005)

• Warm Up (Visual Aids)
• Class Presentations
• Discussion: Working with Notes / Effective Delivery


Week 5 (1 June 2005)

• Warm Up (Dealing with Disasters)
• Class Presentations
• Discussion: Dealing With Questions


Week 6 (8 June 2005)

• Warm Up (General Tips [environment; audience; speaker; material])
• Class Presentations
• Discussion: TBA (will include distribution of article on thesis defence)