American Pronunciation for Accent Reduction

This course is specifically designed to address the communication needs of the advanced level, non-native English speaking professional and is intended for the individual who wants to reduce the amount of pronunciation errors that are being produced in their spontaneous (quick and relaxed) speech, such as in small group discussions, presentations at professional meetings or with one-to-one intercommunications with American colleagues or American clientele. At the beginning of the term, an individualized Speech Profile Summary including an inventory of the student’s overall oral comprehensibility will be prepared based on an initial needs assessment interview. Students will receive a copy of this summary for review and to be used as a benchmark to set goals for clearer communication and accent reduction. During the term, students will be taught to recognize fossilized (hardened and habitual) errors that are apparent in their spontaneous speech including mispronunciations of isolated sounds that may be perceived by the native-English speaker as basic errors in grammar. Students will be taught appropriate word stress, rhythm and intonation. The instructor will introduce various strategies that the students can use to self-monitor their language by analyzing speech segments of oral presentations, which have been captured on video and posted on YouTube. Students will be given prompt feedback of their pronunciation errors and achievements and will be offered individualized meetings to review recorded speech segments. Students will be provided with numerous opportunities to strengthen their overall comprehensibility in English, but the student will take a great deal of responsibility for practicing in daily life what is learned in class. The central focus of this course is to help the student to communicate more effectively in English and feel more comfortable and confident using it.

Presentation, Public Speaking, and Communication Skills for International Professionals

To be successful in today’s global economy, non-native English speaking professionals must be able to communicate effectively in professional contexts. Moreover, contemporary professionals are expected to communicate effectively in meetings and discussions, which are conducted in English. The language in these professional contexts follows definite patterns whose norms and conventions need to be understood and practiced for more effective communication. This course focuses on developing an effective public and personal speaking style in the context of American business and academic culture. Participants discuss strategies and practice techniques that make communicating information and opinions more successful. The course also helps participants to feel more comfortable and confident in professional, public speaking situations so that they can actively participate in meetings, lead discussions and give effective oral presentations. Students learn strategies for successful presentations in American business and academic cultures, practice and receive feedback on short and extended presentations, build confidence in impromptu speaking situations as in professional meetings and academic discussions, practice techniques for monitoring and controlling rate, volume, tone and register, learn key pronunciation concepts for more effective communication, prepare video-captured presentations and receive prompt feedback with speaker performance evaluations from an experienced instructor.

TOEFL® / SPEAK® / TSE® / TWE® PREPARATION

TOEFL® Test Preparation is a course designed to help non-native English speakers understand and improve their scores on the standardized TOEFL® test. The test is a comprehensive assessment of listening and reading abilities as well as knowledge of grammar for English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners. The iBT version of the TOEFL® requires students to show their ability to use English in a variety of campus and academic situations such as listening to lectures on unfamiliar topics, orally paraphrasing and integrating information that they have just read and listened to, and writing a well-organized essay with detailed examples, correct grammar, and varied vocabulary. Students wishing to practice SPEAK® and TSE® will be given sample prompts that can be recorded. The instructor will give prompt feedback regarding the student's use of grammar and pronunciation as well as his/her ability to orally paraphrase and integrate information that they have just read and listened to. Students who want to work more on their composition skills can receive supplemental instruction in the Test of Written English (TWE®), which is the timed composition portion. Students will be given the opportunity to submit essays for individualized feedback.