Undergraduate Course: Speaking at University (LLLG07155)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 0 |
ECTS Credits | 0 |
| Summary | Effective spoken communication skills are essential for full and successful engagement in your postgraduate studies. Speaking at University will develop your skills and confidence in participating in the range of group and individual academic speaking tasks you will encounter on your degree programme. You will improve your ability to express your thoughts clearly and appropriately in such contexts. The course will help you take a more active and constructive part in group discussions, and you will become more skilled in delivering effective presentations. |
| Course description |
Speaking at University aims to ensure you are well prepared to participate in the various forms of spoken communication that will be central to your postgraduate learning.
You will take part in and receive feedback on your performance in a range of academic speaking tasks including individual and group presentations, and discussions such as seminars, on a range of issues. These will require you to study and critically evaluate written and spoken material from a variety of sources.
You will learn to present arguments clearly, coherently and persuasively, comment critically on ideas, ask and answer questions effectively, and respond appropriately to other participants contributions in debate.
Weekly classes will involve analysis of aspects of language used in, as well as practice of, discussion and presentation activities. The classes will be based around a range of topics relevant to postgraduate studies. You will make use of both written and spoken sources, and there will be links with the 'Listening and Note-taking' course.
Developing your academic speaking skills on this course over the Semester prepares you for the final Speaking assessment, in which you demonstrate the presentation and interaction skills you have acquired in an individual oral presentation and question-and-answer session on a topic in your academic discipline.
The course comprises weekly interactive classes involving discussion and collaborative tasks.
Regular homework will be required. This will include preparing for discussions by reading or watching/listening to input on topics for debate, and preparing group or individual presentations to deliver in class. Homework may also include tasks in which you evaluate and reflect on your own performance in class.
You will receive regular formative feedback on your performance including through structured formative tasks that build up to your final assessment.
In order to make progress, you will need to engage fully and actively in all the learning activities, including completing homework tasks, reflecting on and responding to feedback, and doing additional independent study, seeking advice from your teacher when necessary.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Please contact the School directly for a breakdown of Learning and Teaching Activities |
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Students' attainment of the Intended Learning Outcomes demonstrating their ability to use clear and appropriate English to deliver an effective presentation in their disciplinary field and participate effectively in academic discussion is summatively assessed through delivery of a short (7-8 minute) individual oral presentation to their class group, and their interaction with the audience in a follow-up Question-and answer session. |
| Feedback |
Students receive regular formative feedback / feed-forward from peers and class teachers on their performance in speaking tasks.
Students' preparation for the Speaking assessment is supported by regular formative feedback loops based on practice presentation and Q&A tasks. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Use clear and appropriate English to engage in a range of academic speaking contexts
- Engage meaningfully and respond critically, co-creating knowledge in group discussions
- Present a clear, engaging and coherent argument in a presentation genre relevant to their discipline
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Reading List
All the materials used for delivery of the course are provided either electronically or in hard copy and there is no need for students to buy any books. We will also give you advice on useful online resources.
You may find the following publications helpful as additional resources for your studies:
Burton, G. 2013. Presenting. London: Collins
McMahon, P. 2013. Group Work. London: Collins |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
There is an explicit focus on the University's Graduate Attributes throughout the PGPEP Programme, encouraging the development of autonomy, criticality and reflexivity:
Enquiry and lifelong learning
Aspiration and personal development
Outlook and engagement
Research and enquiry
Personal and intellectual autonomy
Personal effectiveness
Communication |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Thomas Pritchard
Tel: (0131 6)51 1189
Email: Tom.Pritchard@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
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