Oral Communication
You may wonder why Oral Communication is one of the four strands of the English curriculum. After all, we all know how to talk and listen. We've been doing it since we were toddlers!
I would describe the oral communication skills you practice in English class as being more purpose driven than everyday talk. Can you converse with a partner to explore the meaning of a challenging text? Can you collaborate with others to create a seminar? Can you deliver a speech in a confident, effective manner? Can you listen to a presentation and pull out the key points? These are the sorts of oral communication skills you will practice in class.
In grades 9, 10 and 11 each student at Mackenzie creates and delivers a speech to their English class. Here are some speeches you might like. Choose a few and listen to them once for content. Then watch them again, paying attention to how they are structured and delivered.
1. 5 Ways to Listen Better 6. Ta - Nehisi Coates' acceptance speech
2. Every Kid Needs a Champion 7. Bryan Stevenson's acceptance speech
3. The Paradox of Choice
4. Violence and Silence
5. Make Your Own Road
This website links to the top 8 graduation speeches of all time.
This website links to recent top political speeches.
This website links to "The Moth" - true stories told live.
If you are nervous about public speaking, you might find the following tips to be helpful:
If you want to learn more about public speaking than is covered in class, check out this website.
I would describe the oral communication skills you practice in English class as being more purpose driven than everyday talk. Can you converse with a partner to explore the meaning of a challenging text? Can you collaborate with others to create a seminar? Can you deliver a speech in a confident, effective manner? Can you listen to a presentation and pull out the key points? These are the sorts of oral communication skills you will practice in class.
In grades 9, 10 and 11 each student at Mackenzie creates and delivers a speech to their English class. Here are some speeches you might like. Choose a few and listen to them once for content. Then watch them again, paying attention to how they are structured and delivered.
1. 5 Ways to Listen Better 6. Ta - Nehisi Coates' acceptance speech
2. Every Kid Needs a Champion 7. Bryan Stevenson's acceptance speech
3. The Paradox of Choice
4. Violence and Silence
5. Make Your Own Road
This website links to the top 8 graduation speeches of all time.
This website links to recent top political speeches.
This website links to "The Moth" - true stories told live.
If you are nervous about public speaking, you might find the following tips to be helpful:
- Be prepared. The more you've practiced, the more confident you will feel.
- Before you deliver a speech you might feel "butterflies" in your stomach. Treat that as a feeling of excitement rather than dread.
- Before you begin make sure you take two deep breaths (in an unobtrusive way). This will help slow down your body's "fight or flight" response.
- Don't tell the audience you feel nervous. Act as if you feel confident and that's how you'll be perceived.
If you want to learn more about public speaking than is covered in class, check out this website.