This paper discusses how multimodal resources can be used to teach oral communication strategies, as exemplified in a course taught at the University of Padova, Italy. The course focused on lexicon and language structures in use, pronunciation and intonation, body language and cultural awareness. A variety of multimedia resources were used, including: pictures and illustrations; digital slides; audio files for pronunciation exercises and for audio-video feedback with the speech analysis software Praat; video clips from online English courses and other YouTube videos of authentic interviews, talk shows, news, monologues, presentations. The main class activities were: listening and watching video clips; metalinguistic discussions on the use of verbal and nonverbal language in different linguistic situations; pronunciation practice; speaking. Students were filmed while speaking and received feedback on their oral and communicative skills. Overall, the course appeared highly effective in raising students’ awareness of facts about English communication and its workings.

Sounding natural: improving oral presentation skills

BUSA', MARIA GRAZIA
2010

Abstract

This paper discusses how multimodal resources can be used to teach oral communication strategies, as exemplified in a course taught at the University of Padova, Italy. The course focused on lexicon and language structures in use, pronunciation and intonation, body language and cultural awareness. A variety of multimedia resources were used, including: pictures and illustrations; digital slides; audio files for pronunciation exercises and for audio-video feedback with the speech analysis software Praat; video clips from online English courses and other YouTube videos of authentic interviews, talk shows, news, monologues, presentations. The main class activities were: listening and watching video clips; metalinguistic discussions on the use of verbal and nonverbal language in different linguistic situations; pronunciation practice; speaking. Students were filmed while speaking and received feedback on their oral and communicative skills. Overall, the course appeared highly effective in raising students’ awareness of facts about English communication and its workings.
2010
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/2484762
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