Graduate Writing & Oral Communication:
Oral Communication

Overview

The Ohio Academic Oral Communication Program provides two graduate academic oral communication skills courses, which focus on improving the skills necessary to be successful graduate students. Both classes are available each quarter. 

In addition, there is a series of courses specifically catering to the need of International Teaching Assistants (ITAs).

The focus of courses may be different for each student. Some students need to improve their presentation skills for their doctorate or masters degree oral examinations, while other graduate students need to improve their oral skills for general communication. These courses may be the only access students have to oral/aural instruction beyond the OPIE curriculum. In some cases, students may be enrolled in both classes simultaneously.
Because of the large amount of material to cover in only ten weeks, classes typically meet twice a week with one meeting of two hours and another of a single hour. While there is a different focus in each of the classes, there is also some overlap of objectives and activities.

ITA Courses

OPIE provides two ITA courses, focused on improving the skills necessary to be successful ITAs.

The Pronunciation Course (OPIE 580)
Sample syllabus here.
Fall quarter 2007-8: time/days

This course is primarily for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs). Students work on pronunciation for overall intelligibility and for comprehension in the classroom.

The Classroom Communications Skills Course (OPIE 581)
Sample syllabus here.
Fall quarter 2007-8: time/days

This course is primarily for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs). Students work on fluency, pronunciation, and answering questions. Also covers common expectations of American undergraduate students.

Communication Courses

OPIE provides two additional communication courses.

Oral Communication in Graduate Studies I (OPIE 582)
Sample syllabus here.
Fall quarter 2007-8: time/days

This course is for international graduate students. It focuses on giving presentations, asking and answering questions, discussing, and interacting with professors and peers. Pronunciation and speaking skills are also covered.

Oral Communication in Graduate Studies II (OPIE 583) Also available as an on-line course
Sample syllabus here.
Fall quarter 2007-8: time/days

This course is for international graduate students. It builds on OPIE 582 and includes more advanced work on fluency, pronunciation, giving presentations, discussing topics, and advanced speaking skills.

Resources

OhioEnglish.com

Oral communication courses brochure (pdf)

Pronunciation Resources

News resources