In category: Communication Skills
Non-native speakers of English are a majority of postdoctoral scholars at Stanford. The Advanced English Skills for Non-Native Speakers series has 4 courses taught in small, intensive classes offered throughout the year that were designed to refine the proficiency and fluency in academic speaking and writing. There are no placement requirements for the courses but a minimum English proficiency is required at a level equivalent to TOEFL score of 525paper/197CBT/71iBT, TOEIC 625, IELTS 5.5. Current postdoctoral scholars appointed at Stanford only (visiting scholars may take the summer intensive 688V course) or language and communication courses through Stanford Continuing Studies.
I: Oral Communication
This course focuses on helping students improve their oral communication skills for academic and daily life. Emphasis is on increasing confidence and fluency through realistic activities both in and out of class covering pronunciation, idiom and slang usage, active listening skills, and conversation strategies.
Course topics:
By the end of the course, participants are expected to:
Prerequisite: Oral Communication
This course on academic writing for publication focuses on learning to write coherently, clearly, and concisely. It will also include some practice in writing effective emails, letters, and short proposals.
The required textbook is Williams, J. & Colomb, G. Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (Tenth edition).
By the end of the course, participants are expected to:
III: Oral Presentation
Prerequisite: Oral Communication
The course focuses on building effective presentation skills with attention to pronunciation and rhetorical considerations, impromptu speaking skills, use of visuals and managing Questions & Answers from an audience. Presentations will be video-recorded for analysis and instructor feedback. Assignments will include pronunciation exercises, review of self-recorded presentations, self-evaluations, and meeting with the instructor for review of pronunciation and presentation feedback.
Course topics:
By the end of the course, participants are expected to:
IV. Accent Reduction
Prerequisite: Oral Communication
This class helps non-native speakers to recognize and practice American English sounds, stress, and intonation patterns in order to improve comprehension and intelligibility. This is accomplished through identification of problem areas, focused practice and recording of exercises for instructor feedback.
Course topics:
By the end of the course, participants are expected to: