Speaking Skills for University Success from Coursera

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Syllabus

Successful Academic Discussions

In this first week of the course, we’ll be talking about academic discussions—the situations when you’ll be talking about an academic topic with a group of classmates. You’ll learn how to prepare for a discussion by gathering background knowledge and how to lead a discussion and encourage everyone to participate. You’ll also learn how to help your discussion go smoothly and how to handle disagreements, which are bound to arise in any discussion. Finally, you’ll practice by watching a video of an academic discussion and rating its strong and weak points. Let’s begin!

Informal Speaking

This week you’ll learn about several situations that require informal communication. First you’ll hear how you can work more smoothly in group projects, which have become a very common type of assignment in university work. You’ll learn about the importance of small talk—all those casual conversations with friends or strangers that lead to smoother communication—and learn which topics to talk about and which ones to avoid. You’ll hear some tips for times when you need to speak without having a chance to prepare, and record your impromptu speaking practice to share with other students. So let’s get started with informal speaking

Planning a Great Presentation

This week we’ll start thinking about presentations—those assignments when you’ll have time to prepare a speech and present it in front of a class. You’ll learn about the parts of a presentation and what elements should be included in each one. You’ll think about how to catch the listeners’ interest and introduce your main idea in the introduction, how to give more details to support your ideas in the body, and how to wrap it all up in a “fireworks” conclusion. You’ll practice by watching and evaluating a presentation on an academic topic. Let’s get ready to give a great presentation!

Delivering a Great Presentation

In this last week of the course, you’ll hear some advice about how to give the presentation that you’ve planned so carefully. You’ll hear some tips for how to rehearse your speech so that you can deliver it smoothly, and you’ll learn some basic principles for preparing attractive slides to go along with your speech and presenting them well. You’ll also hear some suggestions for speaking effectively by using both the power of your voice and effective body language. You’ll practice by playing around with the arrangement of elements on some slides, and you’ll analyze the presentation style of a speaker in a recorded speech. So let’s begin!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for English-speaking university students who need to improve speaking skills for various academic and social situations

Covers a range of speaking scenarios, including academic discussions, group projects, impromptu speeches, and formal presentations

Structured approach to developing successful academic discussions, including planning, leading, and handling disagreements

Provides guidance on effective group project collaboration and small talk for smoother communication

Offers techniques for delivering impromptu speeches and planning and presenting formal presentations

Taught by Marla Yoshida, an experienced instructor in the field of English language learning for academic purposes

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Speaking Skills for University Success with these activities:

Review English grammar

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Brushing up on English grammar will reinforce the foundational concepts necessary for effective speaking.

Browse courses on English Grammar

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Review the parts of speech and their functions.
Analyze sentences to identify the grammatical structure.
Practice using correct grammar in writing and speech.

Watch TED Talks or other public speaking videos

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Observing skilled speakers can provide valuable insights and techniques.

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Find videos of speeches that resonate with you or relate to the course topics.
Analyze the speaker's body language, tone, and speech organization.
Take notes on strategies that you find effective.

Practice impromptu speeches

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Regular practice will build confidence and fluency in speaking spontaneously.

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Choose a topic related to the course material.
Set a timer for 1-2 minutes.
Speak on the topic without preparation.

Four other activities

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Join a study group

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Working with peers in a study group can provide opportunities to practice speaking and receiving feedback.

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Find a group of classmates who share similar interests or goals.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and set clear expectations.
Take turns leading discussions, presenting information, and providing feedback.

Record and review your own speeches

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Self-assessment through recordings can identify areas for improvement.

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Prepare a speech on a course-related topic.
Record yourself delivering the speech.
Review the recording and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Participate in role-playing exercises

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Engaging in role-playing helps develop skills in navigating different speaking scenarios.

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Choose a scenario that challenges your speaking abilities.
Assign roles to participants.
Practice the scenario and receive feedback.

Volunteer as a public speaker

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Volunteering as a speaker provides real-world experience and opportunities for feedback.

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Find organizations or events where you can offer to speak.
Prepare a speech tailored to the audience and occasion.
Practice your delivery and gather feedback from the audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Speaking Skills for University Success will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

As a Management Consultant, you will be expected to communicate effectively in a variety of settings, both formal and informal. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help you to develop the skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you how to prepare for and lead academic discussions, work effectively in group projects, and give impromptu and formal presentations. These skills are essential for Management Consultants, who often need to communicate complex information to clients and colleagues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, clients, and colleagues. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Marketing Managers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead marketing presentations, write marketing materials, and communicate with the media.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams to achieve业绩goals. They need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, clients, and team members. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Sales Managers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead sales presentations, negotiate with customers, and motivate their teams.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. They need to be able to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and executives. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Human Resources Managers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead employee training sessions, conduct performance reviews, and resolve employee conflicts.

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Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public relations function of an organization. They need to be able to communicate effectively with the media, customers, and the general public. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Public Relations Managers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead press conferences, write press releases, and manage social media.

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Lawyer

Lawyers need to be able to communicate effectively in a variety of settings, both formal and informal. They need to be able to persuade judges and juries, negotiate with opposing counsel, and advise clients. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Lawyers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead court proceedings, negotiate settlements, and draft legal documents.

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Teacher

Teachers need to be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues. They need to be able to create and deliver engaging lessons, and manage a classroom. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Teachers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead class discussions, give presentations, and communicate with parents.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers need to be able to communicate effectively with donors, volunteers, and the community. They need to be able to develop and implement fundraising campaigns, and manage a team of staff and volunteers. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Nonprofit Managers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead fundraising presentations, write grant proposals, and communicate with the media.

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Social Worker

Social Workers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community members. They need to be able to build relationships, provide support, and advocate for clients. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Social Workers to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead client meetings, conduct home visits, and write case reports.

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Journalist

Journalists need to be able to communicate effectively in writing and in person. They need to be able to gather information, conduct interviews, and write articles that are clear and concise. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Journalists to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead interviews, write news articles, and present their work to editors.

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Politician

Politicians need to be able to communicate effectively with constituents, the media, and other politicians. They need to be able to give speeches, conduct interviews, and negotiate with other parties. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Politicians to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead campaign speeches, give media interviews, and negotiate with other politicians.

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Event Planner

Event Planners need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and attendees. They need to be able to plan and execute events that are successful and memorable. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Event Planners to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead client meetings, negotiate with vendors, and communicate with attendees.

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Call Center Representative

Call Center Representatives need to be able to communicate effectively over the phone. They need to be able to handle customer inquiries, resolve customer issues, and build relationships. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Call Center Representatives to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead customer service calls, resolve customer issues, and build relationships with customers.

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Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representatives need to be able to communicate effectively with customers. They need to be able to resolve customer issues, provide information, and build relationships. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Customer Service Representatives to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead customer service calls, resolve customer issues, and build relationships with customers.

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Receptionist

Receptionists need to be able to communicate effectively with visitors, employees, and clients. They need to be able to answer phones, greet visitors, and provide information. The course, Speaking Skills for University Success, can help Receptionists to develop the skills they need to be successful in this role. The course will teach them how to prepare for and lead customer service calls, resolve customer issues, and build relationships with customers.

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