Conference English

This class is designed for postgraduate scholars and researchers who publish, present, and communicate in an academic international context in English. After successful participation in this course, you will be able to 

• write more clearly and concisely in academic English, then move from written to spoken English for your presentations;
• develop a relaxed and personable, yet professional style with which you may better engage your listeners and sell your ideas;
• use techniques for developing effective presentations, ranging from Power Point software to physical and verbal gestures;
• create an arsenal of survival language to keep conversations from lagging during “small talk” at conference receptions and
  
• other informal professional situations;
• argue and defend your opinions and your research results in larger discussions and during the question-and-answer session after your presentation;
• deliver an effective “three-sentence” introduction of your research to a potential new colleague.

All participants will develop a presentation to hold in front of the class, so that everyone may receive feedback on his or her performance from “audience.”  You are thereby invited to bring in a work in progress. The grade for your performance in class will be based on your presentation, abstract, and participation in class and homework.  The class is worth 2 ECTS, and a certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course requirements.