The aim of Oral Training II is to help students advance their academic speaking skills. Building on the foundations of Oral Training I, Oral Training II is designed primarily for second year English majors whose speaking level is at CEFR B2 or above (or at least upper B1 level).

In the fall semester, we will start with the art and science of speaking by going through some key features that make speaking distinct from other language skills (i.e., reading, listening, writing). We will also have a look at the “speaking” section in major language tests – what types of tasks are usually expected and how speaking is assessed – to get an idea of what areas you can work on in the longer run.

The main bulk of the semester will cover important speaking activities that are commonly found in academic settings. These include 1) giving effective presentations, 2) participating in – and conducting – interesting interviews, and 3) engaging in – and facilitating – in-depth discussions. As you can see, the activities become more and more interactive as we proceed; good communication requires one to listen and observe, too (e.g., paying attention to people’s facial expressions, body language, and other contextual cues). In the group project arranged at the end of the semester, you are asked to make connections between what you’ve learned in class, and what speaking skills are often required and valued in different professions.

(The spring semester will focus on activities that are more dynamic, challenging, and creative, such as delivering a longer talk without any visual aids, experimenting with ways that make communication more playful, interacting with specific groups of audience, and dealing with sensitive topics)